personal effects

plural noun

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

Synonyms of personal effects

• things
• possession
• belongings
• stuff
• personal property
• effects

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

Matty does this by engaging the Kingstons’ favorite tech whiz — a sleazy genius named Carl — to alter her old text-message chain with Belvin, to add a fake text where Matty gets angry with her friend for asking her to retrieve some personal effects from the office. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

Excavators also found remnants of medieval trade, including coins, trade tokens and even personal effects like combs and clothing buckles. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Both California and Texas license plates are in the auction, along with several furniture pieces and personal effects. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025

Helgelien’s questions — and his discovery of his brother’s personal effects — led authorities to begin digging on the property. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for personal effects

• affects
• aspects
• bisects
• collects
• connects
• corrects
• deflects
• detects
• directs
• dissects
• ejects
• elects

Kids Definition

personal effects

plural noun

: privately owned items (as clothing or jewelry) normally worn or carried on the person