persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə 

-ˌnä

plural personae pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē 

-ˌnī

or personas

1

: a character assumed by an author in a written work

2

a

plural personas [New Latin, from Latin] : an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima

b

: the personality that a person (such as an actor or politician) projects in public : image

3

plural personae : a character in a fictional presentation (such as a novel or play)

—usually used in plural

comic personae

Examples of persona in a Sentence

His public persona is that of a strong, determined leader, but in private life he's very insecure.

The band takes on a whole new persona when they perform live.

Recent Examples on the Web

What’s more, being a successful spy means fully inhabiting a false persona. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 28 Nov. 2024

Sandler’s comedy music continued to be part of his persona, too. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024

But favorites and oddballs aside, all of the pieces come together to make a full drag kit, or collection of products performers use to craft their onstage personas. —Taylor Alxndr, Them, 27 Nov. 2024

Policia busca a persona que ataco a hombre judio que salia de sinagoga After 10 years of trying, a Palestinian woman had twins. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing persona

• in propria persona
• persona grata
• persona non grata

Medical Definition

persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə, -ˌnä 

plural personas

: an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of C. G. Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima sense 1