personality
nounUK /pɜː.səˈnæ.lə.tɪ/ · US /ˌpɜɹ.səˈnæ.lə.ti/
Etymology From Middle English personalite, from Middle French [Term?], from Latin persōnālitās. First attested in the late 14th century. By surface analysis, personal + -ity.
8 senses
- 1Of people, a set of non-physical psychological and…
- 2Of people, charisma; qualities that make a person stand…
- 3Of inanimate or abstract things, a set of qualities that…
- 4An assumed role or manner of behavior.
- 5A celebrity, especially one with a strong media presence…
- 6Something said or written which refers to the person…
- 7That quality of a law which concerns the condition…
- 8A set of female breasts; a rack; alternatively…
Of people, a set of non-physical psychological and social qualities that make one person distinct from another.
- The president has a unique personality.
- Personality is individuality existing in itself, but with a nature as a ground.c. 1828, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Notes on Field on the Church:
1 more example
- Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
Of people, charisma; qualities that make a person stand out from the crowd.
- The best contestant shows most personality.
- But over and over / I´ll be a fool for you / 'cause you got personality.1959, Lloyd Price, Personality:
Of inanimate or abstract things, a set of qualities that make something distinctive or interesting.
- His writing has a lot of personality.
- This functional concrete building lacks personality.
1 more example
- Dubbels typically have a rich, complex, malt-centered personality and a copper or caramel color.2017, Janet Fletcher, Cheese & Beer, page 35:
An assumed role or manner of behavior.
- In his final act, the comedian takes on a child's personality.
A celebrity, especially one with a strong media presence (e.g. an actor, singer or sports player).
- Johnny Carson was a respected television personality.
Dated Something said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks.
- indulgence in personalities
- Sharp personalities were exchanged.1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XI, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:
1 more example
- Perceiving that personalities were not out of order, I asked him what species of beast had long ago twisted and mutilated his left ear.1905, O. Henry, Telemachus, Friend:
Law That quality of a law which concerns the condition, state, and capacity of persons.
Internet, Euphemistic, Humorous A set of female breasts; a rack; alternatively, (typically in the plural) an individual breast.
- Whoa mama! That gal's got a fine... er, "personality".
- Damn the girl on the right has a huge personality2020 February 20, u/JoshyyJosh10, r/anime (Reddit post), archived from the original on 20 Jan 2024:
4 more examples
- I'm jealous of Subaru for being able to experience her massive personality up close 🗿2021 May 18, @enbootle, Twitter (post), archived from the original on 20 Jan 2024:
- what do you mean? i just like her for her two huge "personalities"2022 March 15, u/SlightAcanthisitta0, r/DerScheisser (Reddit post), archived from the original on 20 Jan 2024:
- They have huge personalities indeed.2023 December 26, u/HarryPotterDBD, r/me_irl (Reddit post), archived from the original on 20 Jan 2024:
- She has a great personality2024 January 1, u/mosquitonasopa, r/CrusaderKings (Reddit post), archived from the original on 20 Jan 2024:
- Derived terms
36 terms
addictive personality, antisocial personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, cult of personality, dependent personality disorder, fursonality, groupality, histrionic personality disorder, multipersonality, multiple personality, multiple personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, nonpersonality, paranoid personality disorder, personality clash, personality cult, personality difficulty, personality disorder, personality inventory, personalityless, personalitylike, personality test, personality trait, personalitywise, Perthonality, sadistic personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality, split personality, strong personality, subpersonality, superpersonality, television personality, tripersonality, unpersonality