Meaning & use
Anthropomorphisms
Last updated
Plural of anthropomorphism; instances of attributing human characteristics, emotions, or behavior to non-human things, such as animals, objects, or deities.
See it in a sentence
The children's book is full of anthropomorphisms, from a talking teapot to a worried old oak tree.
Scientists caution against anthropomorphisms when interpreting animal behavior in the wild.
A note on using this word
Anthropomorphisms are common in fables, cartoons, and mythology, but researchers in ethology try to avoid them when describing animal behavior to prevent misattributing human motives.
Words with a similar meaning
personifications
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Anthropomorphisms”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.