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

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

Former detainees and international rights groups accuse him of personally participating in or directing harsh interrogation practices, including physical and psychological mistreatment. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

For me personally, it’s been a year of extreme change as well. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026

Wendy tells Angel to not take the hazing from the new girls personally, which is rich from the professor who spent her first two or three seasons taking any slight against her character remarkably seriously. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026

He also got personally involved as a business leader and spokesperson and inspired others to join with him in affecting large scale societal issues. —Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 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