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n. pl. per·son·al·i·ties 1. a. The totality of qualities and traits, as of character or behavior, that are peculiar to a specific person. See Synonyms at disposition. b. The totality of behavioral traits that are peculiar to a specific nonhuman animal: a hyena with an assertive personality. c. The totality of qualities that distinguish a group, organization, or place: The personality of the business changed dramatically over the years. 2. The collection of distinctive qualities of a person, especially those distinguishing personal characteristics that make one socially appealing: won the election more on personality than on capability. 3. The quality or condition of being a person. 4. a. A person as the embodiment of distinctive traits of mind and behavior. b. A person of prominence or notoriety: television personalities. 5. The distinctive characteristics of a place or situation: furnishings that give a room personality. 6. personalities An offensive or disparaging personal remark: Let's not engage in personalities. [Middle English personalite, from Old French, from Late Latin persōnālitās, from Latin persōnālis, personal, from persōna, person; see PERSON.] |
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