Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
anthropomorphism
noun
ˌæn.θrə.pəˈmɔː.fɪ.zəm
Definition
The attribution of human characteristics or behaviors to non-human entities, such as animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts.
Examples
- The talking animals in cartoons often exhibit anthropomorphism, making them more relatable to viewers.
- In literature, characters like Winnie the Pooh are examples of anthropomorphism, as they display human-like emotions and thoughts.
- When we think of storm clouds as ‘angry’ or ‘happy’, we’re using anthropomorphism to describe our feelings about weather.
Meaning
Anthropomorphism is a literary and artistic device that helps to create relatable and engaging stories by giving human traits to non-human subjects.
Synonyms
- Personification
- Humanization
- Attribution of human traits
