personality
/-i/
The sum of psychological traits, behaviors, and emotional patterns that make an individual distinct from others. It represents the stable "internal architecture" of a person's character.
In a social context, it often refers to charisma or magnetism (e.g., "a big personality"). In this sense, it shifts from a neutral psychological description to a positive trait describing someone who is vivid, engaging, or dominant in a room.
Distinct from "character," which often implies moral fiber or integrity, personality focuses on the outward manifestation of temperament and social style. While character is judged as good or bad, personality is usually described as strong, weak, quirky, or balanced.
Countable when referring to a famous person or a specific type of character ('He is a television personality'). Uncountable when referring to the general psychological makeup of a human being ('Her personality is very calm').
💬Casual Conversation
DAVID I SAW YOUR NEW BOSS'S PROFILE. SHE HAS QUITE THE PERSONALITY.
DAVID I SAW YOUR NEW BOSS'S PROFILE. SHE HAS QUITE THE PERSONALITY.
Mom, please don't snoop around my work contacts. It's really not a good look.
Mom, please don't snoop around my work contacts. It's really not a good look.
Meanings
The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.
She has a very bubbly personality.
Examples
Her outgoing personality makes her a natural leader in group settings.
The small apartment was decorated with a lot of personality.
The corporation possesses a distinct legal personality under the law.
Collocations & Compounds
personality disorder
A mental health condition that affects a person's ability to relate to others and think about themselves, causing distress and problems functioning in daily life.
He was diagnosed with a severe personality disorder.
personality test
A set of questions or tasks designed to assess a person's personality traits and characteristics.
She took an online personality test to learn more about herself.
personality traits
Distinctive qualities or characteristics that are part of a person's personality.
Honesty and kindness are important personality traits.
personality clash
A situation where two people have very different personalities, leading to disagreement or conflict.
There was an immediate personality clash between the new manager and the team leader.
dominant personality
A person who tends to take control and influence others in a group.
Her dominant personality made her the natural leader of the project.
Idioms & Sayings
a big personality
A person who is very noticeable and has a strong, often charismatic, influence on others.
The presenter was known for a big personality that captivated the audience.
split personality
An outdated and inaccurate term for dissociative identity disorder, where a person exhibits two or more distinct identities or personality states.
The movie portrayed a character with a supposed split personality.
reinvent oneself personality-wise
To change one's fundamental character or way of behaving.
After the scandal, he tried to reinvent himself personality-wise.
Etymology
The word 'personality' originates from the Latin word 'persona', which originally referred to a theatrical mask worn by actors. Over time, 'persona' came to mean the role or character played by an actor, and then extended to the outward expression of a person's character. In English, 'personality' emerged in the 17th century, evolving from the concept of a 'person' (an individual human being) to encompass the distinct qualities and characteristics that make an individual unique.