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; assumed character; 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.