rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: persona
Latin

persona

mask, role, or person

Forms

  • persona
  • person- — Used before other endings.

Origin

A Latin theatrical and social word, often linked to an Etruscan source; the derivation is uncertain.

Note

The traditional explanation from “sounding through” a mask is not a secure etymology.

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noun

persona

per-SOH-nuh/pərˈsəʊnə/

A character or identity presented to others.

The performer projects a confident persona whenever she steps onstage.

Latina performer projects confident stage character while quietly thoughtful backstage reflection.
Etymology
personaLatinmask, role, or person

Latin persona meant a theatrical mask and an assumed character. The modern psychological sense applies that role-like idea to someone’s outward social identity—the character presented to others.

In context

This Jungian Life15:08
we learn sort of all sorts of social conventions persona development from a Youngian point of view so that people will, you know, like us and want to include us
Trickster, Tempter, Teacher: The Devil in Depth Psychology

More examples

  • His cheerful public persona hides his private worries.
  • She adopts a playful persona online.
  • The design team creates a persona representing a typical customer.

Forms

persona · personas · personae

Similar words

image
Emphasizes how others perceive someone rather than an adopted identity.
character
Often refers to a fictional role rather than one's presented self.
identity
Can describe who people are, not just their outward presentation.