personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī 

personified; personifying

transitive verb

1

: to conceive of or represent as a person or as having human qualities or powers

2

: to be the embodiment or personification of : incarnate

a teacher who personified patience

personifier

pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• body
• embody
• epitomize
• express
• externalize
• incarnate
• incorporate
• instantiate
• manifest
• materialize
• personalize
• substantiate

Examples of personify in a Sentence

The ancient Greeks personified the forces of nature as gods and goddesses.

Justice is personified as a woman with her eyes covered.

Recent Examples on the Web

Question: Your character Anxiety looks like anxiety personified. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 15 June 2024

Another arc initially seems intended to critique aspects of American culture beyond the workaholism that Emily personifies. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2024

Donald Trump—a crime warrior, criminal defendant, and victim of an assassination attempt—dramatically personifies America’s law-and-order contradictions. —Anthony Gregory / Made By History, TIME, 23 July 2024

Schroeder, 43, a senior service hydrologist at the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office, already had an interest in weather and said the film helped personify what meteorology was. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsän-ə-ˌfī 

personified; personifying

1

: to think of or represent as a person

personify the forces of nature

2

: to be the perfect example of

she personified kindness