What’s personification?

Personification is a literary technique that assigns human-like qualities, actions, or emotions to non-human organisms, objects, and even abstract concepts.

When we describe animals, physical objects, or intangible concepts as though they possess human emotions or traits—like “that's an angry storm,” or “opportunity came knocking on my door”—we personify non-human things.

As a literary technique, personification brings life and animation to the world around us, and adds depth and fluidity to poetry and creative writing.

Examples of Personification

Example Sentences
The storm angrily hammered on the roof, demanding to be let inside. The weary clock watched over the silent room, ticking away the hours in quiet resignation. The city lights winked mischievously at the onset of the night. The pages of the old diary whispered dark secrets as they turned. The dilapidated house frowned and gnarled at the passersby. The stubborn door refused to let anyone pass.

Personification vs. Anthropomorphism

Both involve giving human traits to nonhuman things, but they are notably distinct. Personification is usually a brief, metaphorical description, while anthropomorphism is more literal and sustained, creating characters that truly behave like humans.

Personification in Poetry

Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson

The abstract concept, hope, is depicted as if it were a bird that “perches in the soul”—

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

Practice: Identify Personification

Question 1 of 4

Score: 0

FAQs

What's the main purpose of personification?+

Its main purpose is to create vivid imagery and evoke emotion by giving human qualities to non-human things, making abstract concepts or inanimate objects more relatable to the reader.

Is "the dog smiled" an example of personification?+

Yes. While dogs can show happiness, "smiling" is a distinctly human action. Attributing it to a dog to convey joy is a form of personification.

How is personification different from a metaphor?+

Personification is a *type* of metaphor. A metaphor is a broad term for any comparison where you say something *is* something else (e.g., "her voice is music"). Personification is specifically when you give human traits to a non-human thing.

Sources

"Personification." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personification. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Nordquist, Richard. "Personification in Figurative Language." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/personification-figurative-language-1691595.