prosopopoeia
/ˌprɒs.ə.pəˈpiː.ə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A way of writing or speaking in which a dead person, absent person, or non-human thing talks. Writers use it to make ideas feel vivid and alive.
- The poem uses prosopopoeia to give the river a voice.
- Her speech had prosopopoeia when she spoke for the nation.
- The play uses prosopopoeia to let fear speak.
Adinary Nuance
Prosopopoeia is much more formal and technical than personification. Personification gives human qualities to a thing, while prosopopoeia makes it actually speak. In everyday writing, most speakers choose personification; prosopopoeia appears in literary or academic discussion.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nhân hoá
- Spanish
- prosopopeya
- Chinese
- 拟人法
- Japanese
- 擬人法
- Korean
- 의인법
Etymology
It comes from Greek, from words meaning “person” and “to make.” English has used it in literary study since the 1500s.
Common phrases
use prosopopoeiaa clear example of prosopopoeialiterary prosopopoeia
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is prosopopoeia the same as personification?
- No. Personification gives human traits to something. Prosopopoeia goes further and makes it speak.
- Is prosopopoeia a common word?
- No. It is rare and mostly used in literary study, rhetoric, or academic writing.
- Can I use prosopopoeia in everyday conversation?
- Usually not. Most people would say personification instead.