personification
p-sah-nuh-fuh-KAY-shuhn
Personification (noun) means a person or thing that perfectly represents a particular quality. Example: “The coach is the personification of patience.”
noun
1
A person or thing that perfectly represents a particular quality.
"The coach is the personification of patience."
2
A literary technique that gives human qualities to an object, animal, or idea.
"You might search in vain if you go looking for personification in his works: his style was very concrete."
"The poem uses personification, describing the wind as "whispering secrets.""
"The writer used personification to convey her ideas."
How to use personification
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGiving human traits to something non-human, or being the perfect living example of a quality.
Common pairings
personification of evil
use personification
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Word forms
- Plural
- personifications
Fill the gap
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The coach is the _____ of patience.
Etymology
Built from "personify" plus the suffix "-ification."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for personification
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for personification →
Frequently asked questions
What does “personification” mean?
The word “personification” means a person or thing that perfectly represents a particular quality. In plain terms, giving human traits to something non-human, or being the perfect living example of a quality.
How do you pronounce “personification”?
“Personification” is pronounced p-sah-nuh-fuh-KAY-shuhn (/pɚˌsɑ.nə.fəˈkeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “personification” in a sentence?
Here is “personification” used in a sentence: “The coach is the personification of patience.”
What part of speech is “personification”?
“Personification” is a noun.
How many meanings does “personification” have?
“Personification” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or thing that perfectly represents a particular quality.
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