personify
Definition
- Verb:
- To attribute human qualities or characteristics to something non-human: To represent an abstract idea, object, or animal as having a human form or personality.
- To be a perfect example or embodiment of a particular quality or idea: To represent a thing or abstraction as a person.
- To represent or symbolize (a quality or concept) by a figure in human form: To embody in a concrete form.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- Many fables personify animals, giving them the ability to speak and reason.
- The poet chose to personify death as a silent, hooded figure.
- She seems to personify kindness and generosity in everything she does.
Advanced Usage
- "to be personified as": to be represented or symbolized in human form.
- In the story, greed is personified as a king who is never satisfied.
- "to personify something in someone": to see someone as the perfect example of a quality.
- For his students, he personified dedication to the subject.
Variants and Related Words
- Personification (n): The act of personifying; the representation of a thing or abstraction as a person.
- The use of "Father Time" is a classic example of personification.
- Personifier (n): One who personifies (less common).
Synonyms
- Embody: To give a concrete form to; represent.
- Incarnate: To embody in flesh; give human form to.
- Exemplify: To serve as a typical example of.
Related Phrases
- To be the personification of: To be the perfect example of a particular quality, often used as a stronger form of "personify."
- His mother was the very personification of patience.
Verb
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attribute human qualities to something
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The Greeks personated their gods ridiculous
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represent, as of a character on stage
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Derek Jacobi was Hamlet
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invest with or as with a body; give body to
