Anthropomorphize

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˌanθɹəpəˈmɔːfʌɪz/

Definitions

1. To attribute human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts
2. To ascribe human traits, feelings, or actions to beings that are not human, including animals, inanimate objects, or ideas
3. The act of giving human-like qualities or emotions to non-human entities, which may include animals or conceptual matters

Etymology: The word is built from three Greek elements: "anthrōpos" meaning "human being," "morphē" meaning "form" or "shape," and the suffix "-izein," which turns a noun into a verb meaning "to make into" or "to treat as." Put together, the parts literally mean something like "to give human form to," and that is close to what the English verb does: it takes the human shape and makes something else wear it. The surface analysis is straightforward, and the pieces are all ordinary Greek material that English scholars drew on heavily when building technical and learned vocabulary. The "-ize" ending is the same Greek suffix that shows up in verbs such as "baptize" and "criticize," which is why the word sounds at home among them even though it was assembled from parts rather than inherited from an older language.

Synonyms: personify, humanize, attribute human qualities