noun
Uncommon
persona
pur-SOH-nuh
Persona (noun) means the image or character someone presents to the world, which may differ from their true self. Example: “His confident on-stage persona was very different from his shy offstage personality.”
noun
1
The image or character someone presents to the world, which may differ from their true self.
"His confident on-stage persona was very different from his shy offstage personality."
"She created an online persona to protect her real identity."
"On social media she keeps up a cheerful persona, even on her worst days."
2
In design or marketing, a fictional profile representing a typical user or customer.
"The team built three customer personas to guide the app's design."
"The designers wrote a persona called Sam, a busy parent who shops online late at night."
"Before writing the website text, we described each persona's goals and worries."
How to use persona
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA public image or character, whether personal, artistic, or invented for research purposes.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
public persona
user persona
adopt a persona
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Word forms
- Plural
- personas, personae, personæ
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His confident on-stage _____ was very different from his shy offstage personality.
Etymology
From Latin persona, "mask" or "character," possibly borrowed originally from Etruscan.
Related words
Rhymes for persona
See all rhymes for persona →Frequently asked questions
What does “persona” mean?
The word “persona” means the image or character someone presents to the world, which may differ from their true self. In plain terms, a public image or character, whether personal, artistic, or invented for research purposes.
How do you pronounce “persona”?
“Persona” is pronounced pur-SOH-nuh (/pɝˈsoʊnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “persona” in a sentence?
Here is “persona” used in a sentence: “His confident on-stage persona was very different from his shy offstage personality.”
What part of speech is “persona”?
“Persona” is a noun.
Where does the word “persona” come from?
The word “persona” comes from Latin. From Latin persona, "mask" or "character," possibly borrowed originally from Etruscan.
Is “persona” a common word?
“Persona” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “persona” have?
“Persona” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the image or character someone presents to the world, which may differ from their true self.
What is the difference between a persona and a personality?
Personality refers to a person's genuine, underlying character traits, while a persona is the image or character someone deliberately presents to the world, which may differ from who they really are. A persona is often a curated or performed version of the self, whereas personality is considered more authentic and stable.
What is a user persona in design or marketing?
A user persona is a fictional profile that represents a typical user or customer, built from research into that audience's needs, goals, and behaviors. Designers and marketers use personas to guide decisions by keeping a realistic, representative user in mind.
Can a persona be different from someone's true self?
Yes, that is central to the meaning of persona. It describes the image or character a person presents publicly, which can diverge from their true self, such as a confident on-stage persona that contrasts with a private, more reserved personality.
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