noun per·son \ˈpər-sən\

: a human being

: a person who likes or enjoys something specified

law : the body or clothing of a person especially when considered as a place to hide things

Full Definition of PERSON

:  human, individual —sometimes used in combination especially by those who prefer to avoid man in compounds applicable to both sexes <chairperson> <spokesperson>
:  a character or part in or as if in a play :  guise
b :  the unitary personality of Christ that unites the divine and human natures
a archaic :  bodily appearance
b :  the body of a human being; also :  the body and clothing <unlawful search of the person>
:  the personality of a human being :  self
:  one (as a human being, a partnership, or a corporation) that is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties
:  reference of a segment of discourse to the speaker, to one spoken to, or to one spoken of as indicated by means of certain pronouns or in many languages by verb inflection
per·son·hood \-ˌhd\ noun
in person
:  in one's bodily presence <the movie star appeared in person>

Examples of PERSON

  1. She is a very nice person.
  2. I saw a person standing on the dock.
  3. Any person who wants a refund must have a receipt.
  4. Most people here are quite friendly.
  5. The tickets are $25 per person.
  6. The person at the front desk will be able to help you.
  7. The tax break is only applicable to persons in a high income bracket.
  8. I like her as a person, but she is not a very good writer.
  9. The disease is easily transmitted from person to person.
  10. The dogs discovered that the men were hiding drugs about their persons.

Origin of PERSON

Middle English, from Anglo-French persone, from Latin persona actor's mask, character in a play, person, probably from Etruscan phersu mask, from Greek prosōpa, plural of prosōpon face, mask — more at prosopopoeia
First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with PERSON

PERSON Defined for Kids


noun per·son \ˈpər-sən\

Definition of PERSON for Kids

:  a human being considered as an individual <I had never heard a person speak Arabic.> Hint:The word person is sometimes used in compounds especially to avoid man in words that apply to both sexes. <chairperson>
:  the body of a human being <Keep your person neat.>
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