# Barnum effect

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The tendency of individuals to give high accuracy ratings to descriptions of their personality that are in fact vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people.

## Etymology
Named after American showman Phineas Taylor Barnum.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/barnum-effect