WordGarden.ioperson
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɜːsən/
US
- /ˈpɜrsən/
Meanings
Noun
a human being; an individual
a grammatical category distinguishing speaker, addressee, and others
a human or organization recognized as having legal rights or duties
Beyond the definition
The word "person" is one of the most basic words in English. It usually means a human being, seen as one individual rather than a group. You can use it in a very general way, as in "one person was waiting outside," or to talk about someone's character, as in "she is a kind person." It also appears in many common phrases, such as "the right person for the job" or "in person," which means being physically present. In law, the word can sometimes also include a company or organization, but in everyday English it almost always means a human being.
At its core, "person" means a human being. It is the ordinary word we use when we want to talk about one human as a single individual: "There was only one person in the room," "Every person has a story," or "She seems like a friendly person." It is broad, natural, and used in both formal and informal English.
The word often helps us focus on the individual rather than on age, job, family role, or some other label. For example, instead of saying "man," "woman," "child," "teacher," or "driver," we may simply say "person" when those details do not matter. That is why it is common in signs, rules, and general statements, such as "one person at a time," "the missing person," or "the person who called earlier."
"Person" is also used in many everyday expressions. If you meet someone face to face, you meet them "in person." If someone is suitable for something, they are "the right person." If police are looking closely at someone during a case, they may call them a "person of interest." We also use the word to describe character, as in "an honest person" or "a difficult person."
There are a few wider uses as well. In grammar, "first person," "second person," and "third person" describe different points of view in language. In law, "person" can sometimes include a business or organization, not only a human being. Still, when most people use the word in normal conversation, they simply mean one human being.
Examples
- 1
Seating
Only one person can sit here.
- 2
Plural form
There were six people waiting outside.
- Grammar
people is the usual plural of person
- 3
Ticket pricing
Tickets are $20 per person.
- Phraseper person
for each person
- 4
Authority
I need to speak to the person in charge.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Job suitability
She's the best person for the job.
- 6
Character
He's a kind person, but he can be shy at first.
- 7
Personal preference
I'm not the kind of person who enjoys big parties.
- 8
Face to face
I met her in person after months of video calls.
- Phrasein person
face to face, not online or by phone
- 9
Customer service
Ask a real person, not an automated voice.
- 10
Narrative voice
The story is written in the first person.
- Domainin writing or speech, first person
using I or we
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- personnoun
Forms
- personspluralnoun