person
PUR-suhn
Person (noun) means a human being, or any individual regarded as an entity with rights and identity. Example: “Every person in the room agreed with the plan.”
noun
1
A human being, or any individual regarded as an entity with rights and identity.
"Every person in the room agreed with the plan."
"She is a very private person who rarely posts online."
"A kind person will always stop to help a stranger."
2
In grammar, a category that shows whether a pronoun or verb refers to the speaker, the listener, or someone else.
""I" is first person, "you" is second person, and "she" is third person."
"In the sentence "we walked home", the verb is in the first person plural."
"Stories told with the word "I" are written in the first person."
3
In law, any individual or organization recognized as having legal rights, such as a company.
"Under the law, a corporation is treated as a legal person."
"The charity is a legal person and can sign contracts in its own name."
"A limited company counts as a person in law and can be sued."
How to use person
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA human being, or, more formally, anything the law treats like one.
Common pairings
in person
legal person
first person
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Word forms
- Plural
- people, persons
- Third person singular
- persons
- Past tense
- personed, personned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Every _____ in the room agreed with the plan.
Etymology
From Latin persona, originally "a mask worn by an actor," later "a character" and then "an individual human being."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for person
Gerson
Emerson
Pierson
Iverson
Anderson
Paterson
Peterson
Amberson
Jefferson
Henderson
Patterson
Wilkerson
See all rhymes for person →
Frequently asked questions
What does “person” mean?
The word “person” means a human being, or any individual regarded as an entity with rights and identity. In plain terms, a human being, or, more formally, anything the law treats like one.
How do you pronounce “person”?
“Person” is pronounced PUR-suhn (/ˈpɜɹ.sən/ in IPA).
How do you use “person” in a sentence?
Here is “person” used in a sentence: “Every person in the room agreed with the plan.”
What is another word for “person”?
Words with a similar meaning to “person” include agent, being, bloak, bloke, buddy and body.
What part of speech is “person”?
“Person” is a noun.
Where does the word “person” come from?
The word “person” comes from Latin. From Latin persona, originally "a mask worn by an actor," later "a character" and then "an individual human being.".
Is “person” a common word?
“Person” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “person” have?
“Person” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a human being, or any individual regarded as an entity with rights and identity.
What is the difference between a person and a human?
'Human' refers to the biological species, Homo sapiens. 'Person' refers to an individual regarded as having identity, awareness, and rights. In everyday speech they overlap, but 'person' carries a social and legal weight — which is why the law can even treat a company as a 'legal person' with duties and rights.
What is the plural of 'person'?
Both 'people' and 'persons' are correct, but they differ in tone. 'People' is the normal plural for everyday use, as in 'three people were waiting.' 'Persons' is formal or legal, seen in notices like 'persons under eighteen.' In most writing and conversation, 'people' is the natural choice.
What is the difference between a person and an individual?
Both refer to a single human, but 'individual' stresses separateness — one distinct member set apart from a group. 'Person' is the more neutral, general word. You might say 'each individual has a vote,' emphasizing separateness, or simply 'a kind person,' describing someone in a general way.
What does it mean to be a 'legal person'?
A legal person is any entity the law recognizes as having rights and duties — able to own property, sign contracts, or be sued. This covers human beings, called 'natural persons,' and organizations such as companies, called 'juridical persons.' It is why a corporation can act in law almost like an individual.
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