What term describes when an object or idea is given human attributes?

The term that describes when an object or idea is given human attributes is personification. This literary device allows writers to create more vivid and relatable imagery by attributing human qualities—such as emotions, characteristics, or actions—to non-human entities. For instance, saying “the wind whispered through the trees” gives the wind a human-like ability to communicate, enhancing the reader’s connection to the scene and evoking a sense of personality and emotion in what would otherwise be an inanimate phenomenon.

Metaphor, while also a powerful tool in figurative language, involves a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." A simile is similar but explicitly uses “like” or “as” for comparisons. Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a picture in the reader's mind, but it does not specifically involve attributing human characteristics to non-human entities. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the concept of personification as a technique that enhances storytelling through vivid and relatable connections.