anthropomorphize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Academic, literary, psychological, technical; formal.
Quick answer
What does “anthropomorphize” mean?
To attribute human characteristics, behavior, or emotions to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or natural forces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To attribute human characteristics, behavior, or emotions to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or natural forces.
To interpret or describe non-human things in human terms, often as a psychological projection, a literary device, or a cognitive bias.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The British spelling is 'anthropomorphise', though the '-ize' spelling is also accepted in many UK contexts. The American spelling is exclusively 'anthropomorphize'. No significant difference in usage.
Connotations
Neutral in academic contexts, but can carry a slightly negative connotation when implying an error in reasoning or excessive sentimentality.
Frequency
More common in academic, philosophical, and literary writing than in everyday speech. Similar frequency in both dialects within those registers.
Grammar
How to Use “anthropomorphize” in a Sentence
[Subject] anthropomorphizes [Object][Subject] is anthropomorphized (passive)to anthropomorphize [Object] as [Human Quality]It is a mistake to anthropomorphize [Object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anthropomorphize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Many children's authors anthropomorphise toy animals to create relatable stories.
- It is unscientific to anthropomorphise the behaviour of insects.
American English
- The researchers warned against anthropomorphizing the AI's responses.
- People often anthropomorphize their cars, giving them names and personalities.
adjective
British English
- The anthropomorphised depiction of the sun in the poem was striking.
- She criticised the anthropomorphising tendency in popular wildlife documentaries.
American English
- The film features anthropomorphized emotions as central characters.
- His argument was weakened by anthropomorphizing language.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in critiques of marketing that gives brands excessive human personality.
Academic
Common in psychology, philosophy, theology, literary criticism, and biology to discuss attribution error or narrative technique.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used by educated speakers discussing pets, technology (e.g., talking to one's car), or religion.
Technical
Used in AI/robotics (discussing human reactions to machines), animal behavior studies (cautioning against bias), and animation/game design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anthropomorphize”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anthropomorphize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anthropomorphize”
- Confusing it with 'personify' (which is narrower, often deliberate). Using it to mean simply 'to give life to'. Incorrectly using the noun 'anthropomorphism' as a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In literature, art, and design, it's a powerful tool for creating connection and narrative. The critique applies mainly in scientific reasoning where it can lead to false conclusions about non-human minds.
'Personify' often means to be a perfect example of a quality ('He personifies kindness'). When it means to give human traits, it's usually for a single, abstract quality. 'Anthropomorphize' is broader, applying to giving a full range of human characteristics to any non-human entity.
Typically, no. The term presupposes the subject is non-human. Applying human traits to a human is redundant. The term might be used metaphorically in rare cases, e.g., 'He anthropomorphized his opponent, turning him into a mythical monster in his mind.'
The noun is 'anthropomorphism'. The related adjective is 'anthropomorphic'.
To attribute human characteristics, behavior, or emotions to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or natural forces.
Anthropomorphize is usually academic, literary, psychological, technical; formal. in register.
Anthropomorphize: in British English it is pronounced /ˌanθrəpəˈmɔːfʌɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːrfaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To see a face in the clouds (is to anthropomorphize).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANTHROPO (human) + MORPH (shape/form) + IZE (to make) = to make into human shape/form.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NON-HUMAN WORLD IS A HUMAN SOCIETY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best example of anthropomorphizing?