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

Part of the job is going in with a stoic persona and letting somebody else project that onto you. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024

Finally, autonomous projects the creation of digital personas, providing self-deciding technology and supervisor-less capabilities. —Peter High, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

In the present day, Sofia quickly realizes that maintaining her good-girl persona is a waste of time. —Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

Quincy Jones, the musical giant whose seven-decade, barrier-breaking career encompassed many creative personas—musician, songwriter, producer, conductor, arranger, artist, record label owner and executive, TV/film producer, magazine publisher and humanitarian — has died. —Jennifer Frederick, Billboard, 4 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