1. plural of persona; the characters or roles that people present to others, especially in public or professional contexts
Usage: formal; often used in psychology and literature
2. the characters in a literary work, play, or other artistic creation
Usage: literary; theatrical

Examples

• The politician’s various personae made it difficult to know his true beliefs.
• She adopted different personae for her work and social life.
• The novel’s personae were carefully developed throughout the story.
• His public and private personae seemed completely different.
• The playwright created memorable personae that resonated with audiences.
• Social media allows people to craft idealized personae online.