adj C1 Advanced

impersonal

ihm-PSUH-nuhl

Impersonal (adj) means not personal or individual; without warmth, feeling, or a personal connection. Example: “The rejection letter felt cold and impersonal.”

adj

Not personal or individual; without warmth, feeling, or a personal connection.

"The rejection letter felt cold and impersonal."

"Large call centres can make customer service feel impersonal."

How to use impersonal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLacking warmth, feeling, or a human touch — treating people like numbers rather than individuals.

Common pairings

impersonal tone impersonal service cold and impersonal

Word forms

more impersonal comparative, impersonals plural, most impersonal superlative

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The rejection letter felt cold and _____.

Etymology

From French impersonnel, from Latin impersonalis, "not personal."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for impersonal

coronal rational diagonal personal seasonal national optional regional hormonal fictional emotional irrational

See all rhymes for impersonal →

Frequently asked questions

What does “impersonal” mean?

The word “impersonal” means not personal or individual; without warmth, feeling, or a personal connection. In plain terms, lacking warmth, feeling, or a human touch — treating people like numbers rather than individuals.

How do you pronounce “impersonal”?

“Impersonal” is pronounced ihm-PSUH-nuhl (/ɪmˈpɝsənəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “impersonal” in a sentence?

Here is “impersonal” used in a sentence: “The rejection letter felt cold and impersonal.”

What part of speech is “impersonal”?

“Impersonal” is an adjective.

Where does the word “impersonal” come from?

The word “impersonal” comes from Latin. From French impersonnel, from Latin impersonalis, "not personal.".

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C1 vocabulary words