anthropomorphic
an-thruh-puh-MOR-fik
/ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːfɪk/
Having human characteristics or behavior; attributing human form or personality to a deity, animal, or object.
Often used in mythology to describe gods who look and act like humans (getting angry, falling in love).
The story behind the word. A combination of two Greek words: 'anthropos' (human being) and 'morphe' (form or shape). It literally means 'human-shaped.'
Word relationships
- humanlike: Humanlike is a simpler, more general term; anthropomorphic is more technical and precise.
Commonly confused with
- personification: Personification is a literary device where an idea is given human traits; anthropomorphism is when a non-human thing actually behaves like a human.
Word family
- anthropomorphism (noun): The attribution of human characteristics to a god, animal, or object.
- anthropomorphize (verb): To attribute human characteristics to something.
Collocations
- anthropomorphic deity
- anthropomorphic animals
- anthropomorphic representation
Example sentences
- "The Greek gods were highly anthropomorphic, possessing human flaws like jealousy and vanity." Mythology
- "Mickey Mouse is an anthropomorphic character because he walks, talks, and wears clothes like a human." Animation
Memory hook
Think of 'Anthro' (like anthropology, the study of humans) and 'Morph' (to change shape). Shaped like a human. Human-shaped.
When not to use
Don't use it to describe a human acting like an animal (that's 'therianthropic' or just 'animalistic').
Fun facts
- Ancient philosophers like Xenophanes criticized anthropomorphism, noting that if horses had gods, they would look like horses.
Explore more words
deity, animism, Anthropogenic, Behavioral, worship, objectification
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