personification

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A personification is when we give human-like qualities or characteristics to things that aren't people. It's a way of making objects or ideas seem more relatable and interesting.

We often use personification when describing nature, like saying "The sun smiled down on us" or "The wind whispered through the trees." This makes the natural world feel more alive and engaging. But personification can be used with any object or idea – even concepts like time or emotions. For example, "Time flew by quickly tonight" or "Sorrow weighed heavily on her heart."

How common is "personification"?

Word personification is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in academic texts and less often in other writings.
Definitions

noun

  • A person, thing or name typifying a certain quality or idea; an embodiment or exemplification.

    Example: Adolf Hitler was the personification of anti-Semitism.

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Real examples of "personification" in context

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