persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə How to pronounce persona (audio)
-ˌnä
plural personae pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce persona (audio)
-ˌnī
or personas
1
: a character assumed by an author in a written work
2
a
plural personas [New Latin, from Latin] : an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima
b
: the personality that a person (such as an actor or politician) projects in public : image
3
plural personae : a character in a fictional presentation (such as a novel or play)
usually used in plural
comic personae

Examples of persona in a Sentence

His public persona is that of a strong, determined leader, but in private life he's very insecure. The band takes on a whole new persona when they perform live.
Recent Examples on the Web
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As Uranus shifts into your Mutable territory, a rush of new ideas and concepts could inspire a fresh take on your persona and sense of belonging in the world. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 26 May 2025 Curated by Professor Jean Wainwright, this exhibition delves behind Warhol’s public persona to reveal the man beneath. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 If that’s not exactly fire and brimstone coming from Reid, such is the public persona of the fourth-winningest coach in NFL history. Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025 But how would your family describe your traveling persona? Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for persona

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of persona was in 1732

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Cite this Entry

“Persona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persona. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

persona

noun
per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə, -ˌnä How to pronounce persona (audio)
plural personas
: an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of C. G. Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on persona

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