personal

¹per·son·al

adjective \ˈpərs-nəl, ˈpər-sə-nəl\

Definition of PERSONAL

1

: of, relating to, or affecting a particular person : private, individual <personal ambition> <personal financial gain>

2

a : done in person without the intervention of another; also : proceeding from a single person

b : carried on between individuals directly <a personal interview>

3

: relating to the person or body

4

: relating to an individual or an individual's character, conduct, motives, or private affairs often in an offensive manner <a personal insult>

5

a : being rational and self-conscious <personal, responsive government is still possible — John Fischer>

b : having the qualities of a person rather than a thing or abstraction <a personal devil>

6

: of, relating to, or constituting personal property <a personal estate>

7

: denoting grammatical person

8

: intended for private use or use by one person <a personal stereo>

Examples of PERSONAL

1. This is just my personal opinion.
2. I can only tell you what I know from personal experience.
3. He added his own personal touches to the recipe.
4. We don't accept personal checks.
5. He is a personal friend of mine.
6. She is always concerned about her personal appearance.
7. We provide each of our customers with personal service.
8. Golf is a personal interest of mine.
9. May I ask you a personal question?
10. That information is very personal, and you have no business asking about it.

Origin of PERSONAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French personel, from Late Latin personalis, from Latin persona

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PERSONAL

Synonyms

idiomatic, individualized, particular, patented, peculiar, individual, personalized, private, privy, separate, singular, subjective, unique

Antonyms

general, generic, popular, public, shared, universal

Related Words

characteristic, distinctive, intimate; identifying, idiosyncratic; especial, express, special, specific; independent, nonconformist, self-directed, self-sufficient; custom, customized, specialized

Near Antonyms

broad, prevailing, prevalent, widespread; common, normal, regular, typical

²personal

noun

Definition of PERSONAL

1

: a short newspaper paragraph relating to the activities of a person or a group or to personal matters

2

: a short personal communication in a special column of the classified ads section of a newspaper or periodical

3

: personal foul

First Known Use of PERSONAL

1861