person
/ˈpɜː.sən/- 1.
A human being, especially when you want to talk about one individual. It can be used in general statements, official forms, and legal language.
- There was one person at the door.
- Each person must show ID.
- 2.
A particular individual with their own character, feelings, and life. This use often appears in thoughtful or formal writing.
- She is a very kind person.
- He became a different person after the move.
Adinary Nuance
Person is the most neutral word for one human being. Use it in formal writing, forms, and general statements. It is wider and more neutral than man or woman, which can sound gendered, and more personal than human, which often sounds scientific or general. It also differs from somebody or someone, which are more natural in casual speech.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- người
- Spanish
- persona
- Chinese
- 人
- Japanese
- 人
- Korean
- 사람
Etymology
Person came into English from Old French in the Middle Ages, from Latin persona, meaning an actor's mask or a role. The word later came to mean an individual human being.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is person formal or informal?
- Person is neutral and common in both formal and everyday English.
- What is the difference between person and people?
- Person is singular. People is the plural form for more than one person.
- Can I use person for women and men?
- Yes. Person is gender-neutral and can refer to anyone.
- Is person used in business writing?
- Yes. It is common in reports, forms, and official instructions.