personally

adverb

per·​son·​al·​ly ˈpərs-nə-lē 

ˈpər-sə-nə-

1

: in person

attend to the matter personally

2

: as a person : in personality

personally attractive but not very trustworthy

3

: for oneself : as far as oneself is concerned

personally, I don't want to go

4

: in a personal manner

don't take this personally

5

: in a way that involves someone's personal life

I don't know her personally. [=I have never met her]

often, specifically : in a way that involves someone's personal life as opposed to someone's work or job

I know her both personally and professionally.

Synonyms of personally

• immediately
• secretly
• in secret
• in private

Examples of personally in a Sentence

You will be held personally responsible for any losses or damages.

The player was personally criticized by his coach.

He blamed me personally for causing the problem.

I was personally offended by the article.

Recent Examples on the Web

And fans were treated to countless premieres and special events, like when filmmaker Quentin Tarantino personally welcomed audiences to his 2019 feature Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. — Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 31 July 2026

The one legal exception to this permanent rollback is if the governor personally restores an individual’s right to vote. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026

The inevitable directorial dance of seduction to lure the reluctant actor to sign on to the project turns into an actual seduction, in ways that prove personally and artistically consequential for both women. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

If able, support a cause that is personally relevant to the mission of your organization or that is personally relevant to an employee. — Todd Villeneuve, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing personally

• take it personally

Rhymes for personally

• impersonally

Kids Definition

personally

adverb

per·​son·​al·​ly ˈpərs-nə-lē 

-ᵊn-ə-

1

: in person

attend to the matter personally

2

: as a person : in personality

personally attractive

3

: for oneself : as far as oneself is concerned

personally, I am against it