Persona

/pərˈsoʊ.nə/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The aspect of someone's character that is displayed to or perceived by others.
Her cheerful persona made everyone feel at ease during the meeting.
A character assumed by an author in a written work.
The narrator adopted a cynical persona to convey the themes of the story.
A social mask or facade that an individual presents in public.
He maintained a tough persona to hide his insecurities.
In psychology, it refers to the social face an individual presents to the world as a compromise between the individual's true self and society's expectations.
She crafted a professional persona to advance her career while hiding her more creative side.

Etymology

Latin, meaning 'mask' or 'character'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

public persona
The image or personality that someone shows to the public.
social persona
The aspect of an individual's personality that is shaped by social interactions.

Related Words

identity
The characteristics and qualities that make a person who they are.
image
The general impression that a person gives to others.
facade
A deceptive outward appearance.

Slang Meanings

A social personality or character that someone projects, often a more polished version of oneself.
He really knows how to put on a persona when he's networking.
The way someone chooses to present themselves online, often in a curated manner.
Her Instagram persona is totally different from her real life.