personality

UK: /ˌpɜː^rsəˈnælɪti/ US: /ˌpɝsəˈnælɪti/ ,(pûr′sə nal′i tē)

Inflections of 'personality' (n): npl: personalities

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

per•son•al•i•ty /ˌpɜrsəˈnælɪti/   n., pl. -ties. 

1. the part of one's character as others see it:
   [countable] a charming personality in public; a surly one in private.
2. Psychology all the characteristics that an individual possesses in his or her character:
   [countable] a positive, goal-oriented personality.
   [uncountable] Personality is shaped early in life.
3. something thought of as similar to a human personality, as the atmosphere of a place or thing:
   [uncountable] That little restaurant has personality.
   [countable] a charming personality to those old inns.
4. [countable] a famous or well-known person;
   a celebrity.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

per•son•al•i•ty  (pûr′sə nal′i tē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others:
   He has a pleasing personality.
2. a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities:
   He is a curious personality.
3. Psychology
   • the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.
   • the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual.
4. the quality of being a person;
   existence as a self-conscious human being;
   personal identity.
5. the essential character of a person.
6. something apprehended as reflective of or analogous to a distinctive human personality, as the atmosphere of a place or thing:
   This house has a warm personality.
7. a famous, notable, or prominent person;
   celebrity.
8. application or reference to a particular person or particular persons, often in disparagement or hostility.
9. a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person:
   The political debate deteriorated into personalities.

• Late Latin persōnālitās. See personal, -ity
• Middle French)
• Middle English personalite (1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. See character. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

personality / ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. the sum total of all the behavioural and mental characteristics by means of which an individual is recognized as being unique
2. the distinctive character of a person that makes him or her socially attractive: a salesperson needs a lot of personality
3. a well-known person in a certain field, such as sport or entertainment
4. a remarkable person: my boss is a real personality
5. (often plural) a personal remark