adj
C1
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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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishLacking warmth, feeling, or a human touch — treating people like numbers rather than individuals.
Common pairings
impersonal tone
impersonal service
cold and impersonal
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Word forms
- Plural
- impersonals
- Comparative
- more impersonal
- Superlative
- most impersonal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rejection letter felt cold and _____.
Etymology
From French impersonnel, from Latin impersonalis, "not personal."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for impersonal
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
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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