# personification

/pɝˌsɑnəfəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /pɜːsˈɒnɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/personification
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

the act of giving human qualities or feelings to something that is not a person, like an animal or an object. It can also mean a person who represents a specific quality or idea.

For teachers: the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. Also refers to a person who serves as a living embodiment of a specific quality or concept.

## Examples

- The poet uses personification to describe the wind as a whispering friend.
- In many ancient myths, the sun is a personification of power and warmth, often depicted as a god driving a chariot across the sky.
- The author's protagonist is a clear personification of the era's social unrest, embodying the frustration and hope of a generation caught between tradition and modernity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.