What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
personify
Example
The author used animals to personify different personality types. [personify: verb]
Example
The statue personifies the spirit of freedom. [personifies: verb]
typify
Example
The politician typifies the corruption in the government. [typifies: verb]
Example
The architecture of the building typifies the style of the era. [typifies: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Typify is more commonly used than personify in everyday language. Typify is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while personify is less common and is typically used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between personify and typify?
Both personify and typify are formal words that are more commonly used in academic or analytical contexts. However, personify can also be used in creative writing and literature, which may make it slightly less formal in certain contexts.