Another Word for Person: 8 Synonyms with Examples
A person is a single human being. Swap it to sound warmer, more formal, or more specific about who you mean.
As a noun: a human being
- individual
- human
- human being
- someone
- somebody
- soul
- character
- figure
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- individual
- A single person, often contrasted with a group; slightly formal.
- human
- Stresses the species, often in contrast with animals or machines.
- someone
- An unnamed person; informal and natural.
- soul
- Informal or literary, often with a feeling word: "a kind soul".
- character
- A person with a strong or unusual personality; informal.
- figure
- An important or well-known person: "a public figure".
Example sentences
- individual: Each individual on the course has a personal tutor.
- human: The robot can recognise a human from twenty metres away.
- someone: Someone left an umbrella on the train.
- soul: The beach was empty; there wasn't a soul in sight.
- character: Her uncle is quite a character.
- figure: He became a leading figure in the civil rights movement.
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “person”. Check the meaning before you use one.
noun: mortal
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “person”?
The most useful alternatives are “individual”, “human”, “human being”, “someone”, “somebody”. For the main sense (a human being), “individual” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “individual” and “human”?
individual: A single person, often contrasted with a group; slightly formal. human: Stresses the species, often in contrast with animals or machines.