personal
PUR-suh-nuhl
Personal (adjective) means relating to a specific individual rather than to others or to the public. Example: “She keeps her personal life separate from work.”
adjective
1
Relating to a specific individual rather than to others or to the public.
"She keeps her personal life separate from work."
"That's a rather personal question to ask a stranger."
"I would like some personal time to think this over."
2
Done by someone directly, without going through another person.
"The CEO made a personal visit to thank the staff."
"The manager gave me personal attention when I called the office."
"The author sent a personal reply to every reader who wrote to her."
How to use personal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBelonging to or concerning one particular individual, often something private.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "personnel" (the staff of an organization), which is pronounced and spelled similarly.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
personal information
personal opinion
take it personally
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Word forms
- Plural
- personals
- Comparative
- more personal
- Superlative
- most personal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She keeps her _____ life separate from work.
Etymology
From Late Latin personalis, "of a person," from persona ("person").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for personal
coronal
rational
diagonal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
irrational
See all rhymes for personal →
Frequently asked questions
What does “personal” mean?
The word “personal” means relating to a specific individual rather than to others or to the public. In plain terms, belonging to or concerning one particular individual, often something private.
How do you pronounce “personal”?
“Personal” is pronounced PUR-suh-nuhl (/ˈpɜɹ.sə.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “personal” in a sentence?
Here is “personal” used in a sentence: “She keeps her personal life separate from work.”
What part of speech is “personal”?
“Personal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “personal” come from?
The word “personal” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin personalis, "of a person," from persona ("person").
Is “personal” a common word?
“Personal” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “personal” have?
“Personal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a specific individual rather than to others or to the public.
What is the difference between personal and personable?
Despite looking alike, they are unrelated in meaning. Personal means relating to a particular individual, or private. Personable describes someone pleasant, friendly, and easy to get along with. A personal matter concerns one person's own affairs; a personable colleague is simply likeable. Only personal has to do with privacy or ownership.
What is the difference between personal and personnel?
They sound similar but differ completely. Personal is an adjective meaning relating to an individual or private. Personnel is a noun meaning the staff or employees of an organisation. 'A personal call' is private; 'the personnel' are the people who work somewhere. Note also that the stress falls differently when spoken.
What is the difference between personal and private?
The two overlap and often swap freely. Personal means belonging to or concerning a particular individual — personal belongings, a personal opinion. Private stresses that something is not meant to be shared or seen by others. A personal diary is yours; a private diary is one you keep hidden from everyone.
What is an example of personal?
Personal belongings are the items that are yours; a personal opinion is one you hold yourself; personal details are facts about you specifically. In each case, the word marks something as tied to one individual rather than shared with others or belonging to the public.
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