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

Though New Delhi rejected third-party mediation, Trump personally intervened to de-escalate tensions. —Jack Rosen, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025

The Clemson tight end joined the Chiefs this offseason after Reid called him personally to discuss a potential role with the team. —Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 20 July 2025

Americans find casino gambling to be acceptable for themselves or others, the research found, with 59 percent of Americans finding gambling personally acceptable—another an all-time high. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025

For your own sake, please try not to take this personally. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 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