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

• 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

Brady: The best business leaders today know the value and importance of empowering those around them, personally and professionally. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 9 July 2025

Thus, in pretty much every real estate loan of this type, the lender will require that the real estate developer personally guarantee that the lender will be repaid in full on the loan, no matter what happens to ABC LLC and its assets. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

After personally threatening the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general, Rafael Grossi, Tehran suspended all cooperation with the agency. —John R. Bolton, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025

Yoe, the former creative director of the Muppets, was personally recruited for the job by Jim Henson. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 8 July 2025

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