persona
noun
per·so·na
pər-ˈsō-nə 
-ˌnä
plural personae
pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē
-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
James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in Dawson’s Creek and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died.
—
Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
The gap between how Trump is perceived by some Republicans (strong and confident) and his actual persona (overwrought and histrionic) is large.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek played the titular Dawson, and his persona was one of a straightforward, yearning good guy chafing against others’ cynicism.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Heck, take it all the way back to the most impactful championship game of all time when Joe Namath (17 of 28, 206 yards, no TDs, no interceptions) played a cool and efficient game that belied his showtime throw-it-deep persona in a 16-7 win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl 3 in Miami.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persona
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Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
The gap between how Trump is perceived by some Republicans (strong and confident) and his actual persona (overwrought and histrionic) is large.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Van Der Beek played the titular Dawson, and his persona was one of a straightforward, yearning good guy chafing against others’ cynicism.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Heck, take it all the way back to the most impactful championship game of all time when Joe Namath (17 of 28, 206 yards, no TDs, no interceptions) played a cool and efficient game that belied his showtime throw-it-deep persona in a 16-7 win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl 3 in Miami.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persona
Cite this Entry
“Persona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persona. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
persona
noun
per·so·na
pər-ˈsō-nə, -ˌnä
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
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