personal effects

plural noun

Synonyms of personal effectsnext
: privately owned items (such as clothing and jewelry) normally worn or carried on the person

Examples of personal effects in a Sentence

put all of your personal effects in the bin so that they can be x-rayed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Everyday objects, tools, clothing and personal effects are displayed alongside the remains of the vessel, creating a moving portrait of Tudor life at sea. David Nikel, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 All of Hackman and Arakawa's personal effects have been removed from the properrty and the house has been professionally staged, according to WSJ. Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026 The private detective Snider hired to tail Dorothy and Bogdanovich, Marc Goldstein, had, according to a suit filed by Bogdanovich and the Stratten estate, stolen Dorothy’s diaries and other personal effects, sold them to a studio. Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026 Other photos depicted the clothes Mangione was wearing at the time of his arrest, along with a pocketknife, zip ties and personal effects. Cameron Schoppa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for personal effects

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of personal effects was in 1818

Cite this Entry

“Personal effects.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20effects. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

personal effects

plural noun
: privately owned items (as clothing or jewelry) normally worn or carried on the person
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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