personally
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for personally, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adverb — Used to show that something is one's own private opinion or feeling.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use personally
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English personally, personely, personallich, personaliche, equivalent to personal + -ly.
Full origin of personally →Frequently asked questions
What does “personally” mean?
The word “personally” means used to show that something is one's own private opinion or feeling. In plain terms, in one's own opinion, or done in person, or affecting oneself specifically.
How do you pronounce “personally”?
“Personally” is pronounced PUR-suh-nuh-lee (/ˈpɝ.sə.nə.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “personally” in a sentence?
Here is “personally” used in a sentence: “Personally, I think the movie was overrated.”
What part of speech is “personally”?
“Personally” is an adverb.
Is “personally” a common word?
“Personally” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “personally” have?
“Personally” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to show that something is one's own private opinion or feeling.
What is an example of 'personally' in a sentence?
'Personally, I think the plan needs more work.' Here 'personally' flags that what follows is the speaker's own view, not a fact or a shared position. It is often placed at the start of a sentence to soften an opinion and signal that others may disagree.
What is the difference between 'personally' and 'in my opinion'?
Both signal a private view and often swap freely. 'In my opinion' states plainly that a judgement is being offered. 'Personally' adds a slightly more emphatic, individual note — this is my own feeling — and can also mean 'in person', as in 'I handled it personally', which 'in my opinion' cannot.
Does 'personally' only mean giving an opinion?
No. It has a second common sense: doing something in person or directly, as in 'she thanked each guest personally.' It can also mean 'as an individual', as in 'don't take it personally.' Context shows whether it marks an opinion or an action done directly.
Is it correct to start a sentence with 'personally'?
Yes. Beginning with 'Personally,' followed by a comma is a natural and accepted way to flag that a personal opinion is coming. It is common in both speech and writing, though in very formal contexts some writers prefer to state the view directly without it.