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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

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.
"The poem uses personification, describing the wind as "whispering secrets.""

How to use personification

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGiving human traits to something non-human, or being the perfect living example of a quality.

Common pairings
personification of evil use personification

Word forms

personifications plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The coach is the _____ of patience.

Etymology

Built from "personify" plus the suffix "-ification."

Related words

Rhymes for personification

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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