per·son
Pronounced:
/ˈpɚsn̩/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural people or per·sonsMeaning:
[count] ◊The plural of person is usually people except in formal or legal contexts, where the plural is often persons. 1 a : a human being ▪ She is a very nice/shy/interesting person. ▪ I saw a person standing on the dock. ▪ Any person who wants a refund must have a receipt. ▪ Most people here are quite friendly. ▪ The tickets are $25 per person. ▪ The person at the front desk will be able to help you. ▪ The tax break is only applicable to persons in a high income bracket. ▪ I like her as a person, but she is not a very good writer. ▪ The disease is easily transmitted from person to person. —sometimes used in compounds to avoid using man or woman ▪ a spokesperson ▪ salespeople —see also missing person b : a person who likes or enjoys something specified ▪ Our new friends are real party people. [=our new friends like parties] ▪ I'm just not a city person. [=I do not like the city very much] ▪ She's always been a cat person. [=she likes cats a lot] —see also people person
2 plural persons law : the body or clothing of a person especially when considered as a place to hide things ▪ He was arrested for having a gun on his person without a permit. [=he was arrested for carrying a gun without having a gun permit] ▪ The dogs discovered that the men were hiding drugs about their persons.
2 plural persons law : the body or clothing of a person especially when considered as a place to hide things ▪ He was arrested for having a gun on his person without a permit. [=he was arrested for carrying a gun without having a gun permit] ▪ The dogs discovered that the men were hiding drugs about their persons.
in person
—used to say that a person is actually present at a place ▪ The president appeared in person at the ceremony. ▪ They met in person after speaking on the phone. ▪ You will need to sign for the package in person.
in the person of
formal —used to say that someone is the person who does something, provides something, etc. ▪ Relief during the blackout arrived in the person of my brother, who brought flashlights and candles.