Before we begin, we have a free printable with 170 personification examples, plus tips on creating your own here.
What is personification?
Simply put, personification is a literary technique where we give human traits and actions to non-human things. For instance, a writer may paint a picture of a gusty afternoon by saying 'the leaves danced in the wind,' even though leaves can’t really dance!
Why is personification used?
Personification is a great way to make writing more lively and engaging. By giving human qualities to objects or ideas, we allow readers to more easily connect with the story or description on a deeper level.
Think of it as bringing the scene to life—when a tree 'whispers' or the sun 'smiles,' it’s easier to imagine what’s happening and feel a part of it. This makes the writing not only more vivid but also easier to relate to
In essence, personification adds warmth and personality to the text, making it both memorable and enjoyable for readers.
80 examples of personification in a sentence
Personifying nature
1. The moon smiled down on the earth.
2. The leaves rustled in the wind, gossiping with each other.
3. The storm clouds angrily gathered overhead.
4. The ocean waves whispered secrets to the shore.
5. The sun lazily climbed the sky.
6. The mountains stood sentinel, watching over the valley.
7. The stars winked at me from the night sky.
8. The flowers nodded in agreement with the breeze.
9. The raindrops danced on the windowpane.
10. The snowflakes pirouetted to the ground.
Personifying objects
11. The old car grumbled and protested as it started.
12. The rusty key complained about being unused for years.
13. The pen eagerly scribbled down the writer's thoughts.
14. The computer hummed contentedly as it worked.
15. The stubborn door refused to let anyone pass.
16. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds.
17. The flashlight eagerly chased away the darkness.
18. The mirror reflected on its purpose in life.
19. The chair sighed as she sank into it.
20. The smartphone beeped, demanding attention.
Personifying animals
21. The cat's eyes gleamed with mischief.
22. The dog's tail wagged happily, expressing joy.
23. The owl hooted a mysterious melody.
24. The snake hissed its displeasure.
25. The horse's hooves drummed a rhythm on the ground.
26. The bee buzzed around, busy with its tasks.
27. The butterfly danced gracefully in the garden.
28. The spider patiently waited for its prey.
29. The fish swam in a synchronized ballet.
30. The eagle soared through the sky, feeling the freedom in each majestic wingbeat.
Personifying weather
31. The thunder grumbled in the distance.
32. The lightning cracked its fiery whip across the sky.
33. The fog crept in, wrapping the world in a soft embrace.
34. The sunshine skipped into the room, bringing warmth.
35. The tornado roared, tearing through the landscape.
36. The snowstorm painted the town in a blanket of white.
37. The rain tapped on the roof, playing a soothing melody.
38. The hurricane howled with fury.
39. The sunshine beamed down, kissing the earth.
40. The lightning danced across the night sky.
Personifying emotions
41. The happiness in the room bubbled like a joyful fountain.
42. The sadness lingered in the air like a heavy fog.
43. The anger boiled inside me, ready to explode.
44. The fear whispered in the shadows, sending shivers down my spine.
45. The hope sparkled in her eyes like a guiding star.
46. The love wrapped around us like a warm blanket.
47. My curiosity piqued, nudging me to explore.
48. The anxiety clawed at my chest, tight and constricting.
49. The excitement bubbled up, making my heart race.
50. The confidence stood tall, a beacon in the uncertainty.
Personifying time
51. The past haunted him like a ghost.
52. The present moment tiptoed by, unnoticed.
53. The future beckoned a mysterious and alluring path.
54. The seconds marched on, relentless and unstoppable.
55. The years embraced her like an old friend.
56. The morning stretched its arms, waking up the world.
57. The night whispered its lullaby, soothing the day to sleep.
58. The days played tag with each other, never standing still.
59. The week sauntered by, each day brought its own personality.
60. The calendar pages flipped, marking the passage of time.
Personifying communication
61. The words on the page whispered a captivating story.
62. The phone buzzed with excitement, delivering good news.
63. The email sat patiently in the inbox, awaiting attention.
64. The message on the billboard shouted for attention.
65. The radio spoke in soothing tones, filling the room with music.
66. The newspaper headlines screamed for attention.
67. The social media post winked with humour.
68. The sign on the door welcomed visitors with a friendly grin.
69. The speech resonated with the audience, leaving an impact.
70. The silence in the room spoke volumes.
Personifying food and drink
71. The coffee beans beckoned with their rich aroma.
72. The tea leaves danced in the hot water, creating a soothing ballet.
73. The chocolate melted in my mouth, a sweet indulgence.
74. The popcorn kernels eagerly popped in the microwave, bursting with excitement to be enjoyed during movie night.
75. The pizza in the oven exuded a tempting aroma, teasing taste buds with the promise of a delicious cheesy embrace.
76. The wine glass stood elegant, holding the promise of relaxation.
77. The salad ingredients mingled, creating a harmonious blend.
78. The lemon in the pitcher eagerly infused the water, imparting its zesty personality to create a refreshing and lively drink.
79. The strawberries in the fruit bowl blushed with sweetness as if they held the secrets of a sun-kissed summer day.
80. The sizzling bacon on the skillet performed a tantalizing dance, enticing breakfast lovers with its savoury melody.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is personification in literature?
Personification is when we give human traits to things that aren’t human. It’s a fun way for writers to help us picture things better and make stories more exciting by making non-human things seem like they can do things people do.
Why should we use personification?
We use personification to make their descriptions more vivid and relatable. It helps readers connect emotionally with non-human elements by imagining them as if they had human traits, making our writing more engaging and expressive.
How is personification different from metaphor or simile?
While all three are figurative language devices, personification specifically gives human qualities to non-human things. A metaphor compares two unlike things directly, while a simile compares them using 'like' or 'as'.
What is the difference between personification and anthropomorphism?
Personification gives human traits to non-human things to make them more relatable, like saying 'the wind whispered'. Anthropomorphism on the other hand involves giving animals or objects full human characteristics and behaviors, such as talking and thinking like people. So, personification adds specific human qualities, while anthropomorphism makes things act like humans.
How to explain personification to young children?
To explain personification to young children, start by using simple examples from their favorite stories or cartoons where animals or objects act like people, such as a talking teddy bear.
Relate personification to things they know by saying, 'When we say "the moon is smiling",we're pretending the moon can smile like we do.' Drawing pictures together, like a tree with a happy face and arms, can help them visualise the concept. Acting out scenarios where toys talk or objects feel emotions makes the idea more interactive.
Finally, encourage their creativity by asking them to come up with their own examples, such as how a cloud might act like a person. This makes learning about personification fun and engaging.
Need a little help? Then give our article on teaching personification to kids a read!
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