persona
UK: pəˈsəʊnə | US: pərˈsoʊnə
n. the aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others
n. (in psychology) the social facade an individual assumes to adapt to societal expectations
n. (in literature) a role or character adopted by an author or performer
Derived from Latin persona, meaning "mask" (literally, "that through which sound passes," referencing theatrical masks used in ancient drama). The term evolved to denote social roles or identities, influenced by Jungian psychology's concept of the "public self." The root person- retains its core meaning of "individual," while the suffix -a marks it as a noun. The word reflects the duality of outward presentation versus inner identity.
She adopted a cheerful persona at work, though she felt exhausted.
The actor’s stage persona contrasts sharply with his private life.
In his poems, the writer often adopts the persona of a wanderer.
Social media encourages people to curate idealized personas.
Jung argued that the persona helps individuals navigate societal expectations.