personage

Everyday

1. (formal) An important or famous person. tree →
2. A character in a play or story. tree →

In the lessons

Used in older stories and formal writing, sometimes with a smile, to make someone sound grand: «a very great personage». Alice meets many odd personages in Wonderland, such as the King and Queen of Hearts. Toad thinks of himself as an important personage.

Examples

• A royal personage visited our town. tree →
• The Duchess was a very grand personage. tree →
• Toad imagined himself a famous personage. tree →
• Many great personages came to the wedding. tree →
• The play has only four personages. tree →
• The mayor was the most important personage at the fair. tree →
• First the personages, and then we will get the play ready. tree →

Note

Formal and a bit old-fashioned; in everyday English say «important person». Do not confuse with «personal» or «parsonage» (a priest's house).