adjective

personable

PURS-nuhbl

Personable (adjective) means having a warm, likeable manner that makes people feel comfortable. Example: “The new manager is personable and quickly won the team's trust.”

adjective

Having a warm, likeable manner that makes people feel comfortable.

"The new manager is personable and quickly won the team's trust."

"She stayed personable and friendly even during the tense negotiation."

How to use personable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFriendly and easy to get along with.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "personal" (private, individual) — "personable" describes someone's pleasant manner.

Easily confused with

personal →

Word forms

more personable comparative, most personable superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The new manager is _____ and quickly won the team's trust.

Etymology

From Middle English personable, built from "person" plus the suffix "-able."

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for personable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

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Frequently asked questions

What does “personable” mean?

The word “personable” means having a warm, likeable manner that makes people feel comfortable. In plain terms, friendly and easy to get along with.

How do you pronounce “personable”?

“Personable” is pronounced PURS-nuhbl (/ˈpɜɹs(ə)nəb(ə)l/ in IPA).

How do you use “personable” in a sentence?

Here is “personable” used in a sentence: “The new manager is personable and quickly won the team's trust.”

What part of speech is “personable”?

“Personable” is an adjective.

Where does the word “personable” come from?

The word “personable” comes from Middle English. From Middle English personable, built from "person" plus the suffix "-able.".