/ ˈpɜːsn; NAmE ˈpɜːrsn/ noun ( pl. people / ˈpiːpl; NAmE / or, especially in formal use, per·sons )
1.
a human as an individual :
What sort of person would do a thing like that?
He's a fascinating person.
What is she like as a person?
He's just the person we need for the job.
I had a letter from the people who used to live next door.
I'm not really a city person (= I don't really like cities) .
—see also people person
HELP NOTE : Use everyone or everybody instead of 'all people'.
2.
( formal or disapproving ) a human, especially one who is not identified :
A certain person (= somebody that I do not wish to name) told me about it.
The price is $40 per person.
This vehicle is licensed to carry 4 persons. (= in a notice)
( law )
The verdict was murder by a person or persons unknown.
—see also VIP
3.
-person (in compounds) a person working in the area of business mentioned; a person concerned with the thing mentioned :
a salesperson
a spokesperson
4.
( grammar ) any of the three classes of personal pronouns. The first person ( I/we ) refers to the person(s) speaking; the second person ( you ) refers to the person(s) spoken to; the third person ( he / she / it/they ) refers to the person(s) or thing(s) spoken about.
•
IDIOMS
- about / on your person
- in person
- in the person of sb
—more at respecter
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French persone , from Latin persona actor's mask, character in a play, later human being.