1
: of, relating to, or affecting a particular person : private, individual
personal ambition
personal financial gain
2
a
: done in person without the intervention of another
also
: proceeding from a single person
b
: carried on between individuals directly
a personal interview
3
: relating to the person or body
4
: relating to an individual or an individual's character, conduct, motives, or private affairs often in an offensive manner
a personal insult
5
a
: being rational and self-conscious
personal, responsive government is still possible—
John Fischer
John Fischer
b
: having the qualities of a person rather than a thing or abstraction
a personal devil
6
: of, relating to, or constituting personal property
a personal estate
7
: denoting grammatical person
8
: intended for private use or use by one person
a personal stereo
1
: a short newspaper paragraph relating to the activities of a person or a group or to personal matters
2
: a short personal communication in a special column of the classified ads section of a newspaper or periodical
3
Synonyms
Examples of personal in a Sentence
Adjective
This is just my personal opinion.
I can only tell you what I know from personal experience.
He added his own personal touches to the recipe.
We don't accept personal checks.
He is a personal friend of mine.
She is always concerned about her personal appearance.
We provide each of our customers with personal service.
Golf is a personal interest of mine.
May I ask you a personal question?
That information is very personal, and you have no business asking about it.
Recent Examples on the WebMichaela Zee, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Many are running up against the deadline in light of personal challenges, maybe the birth of a baby, an illness, or a death in the family.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Per Forbes, Liu’s personal net worth tops $1.4 billion.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
The agreement would settle all class-action claims within a 20-mile radius from the derailment, Norfolk Southern said in a statement announcing the deal, as well as personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius for residents who chose to participate.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
As the moon and Pluto clash, your personal business is on public display.
—USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Our staff and testers A beauty product is a personal purchase.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
While consumers expressed confidence about their personal finances, the survey found skepticism that the economy is finally on the upswing, and anxiety about the outcome of the presidential election.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These conversations are best left to either an individual close enough to the offender to speak frankly about personal hygiene or an objective third party with authority to address problematic behaviors, such as your HR department.
—Karla Miller, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Abc News, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2023
Jaylen Brown just picked up his fourth personal on a drive to the rim against Bam Adebayo.
—Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2023
Bam Adebayo just picked up his third personal — an offensive foul away from the ball — with 2:41 to go in the second.
—Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2023
Musical Moments' personal.
—Terry Blain Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 9 Aug. 2020
Kolek scored 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting before he was called for an offensive foul with just under three minutes remaining in the first half for his second personal.
—Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2023
The personal was always political for Ms. Noomin, but she wasn’t moved to make overtly political work until the run-up to the 2016 presidential election and the #MeToo movement.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2022
His scientific disagreements on this issue unfortunately veered occasionally into the personal.
—Julianne Dalcanton, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2010
And that may also mean making climate change personal.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 19 Dec. 2022
Adjective
Jessica Alba is stepping down as chief creative officer of The Honest Company.
Alba, who co-founded the baby products and personal care business in 2012, shared the news on Instagram Tuesday.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Many are running up against the deadline in light of personal challenges, maybe the birth of a baby, an illness, or a death in the family.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Per Forbes, Liu’s personal net worth tops $1.4 billion.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
The agreement would settle all class-action claims within a 20-mile radius from the derailment, Norfolk Southern said in a statement announcing the deal, as well as personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius for residents who chose to participate.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
As the moon and Pluto clash, your personal business is on public display.
—USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Our staff and testers A beauty product is a personal purchase.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
While consumers expressed confidence about their personal finances, the survey found skepticism that the economy is finally on the upswing, and anxiety about the outcome of the presidential election.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These conversations are best left to either an individual close enough to the offender to speak frankly about personal hygiene or an objective third party with authority to address problematic behaviors, such as your HR department.
—Karla Miller, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
The hospital itself has been substantially damaged, and in acute need of oxygen and essential medical supplies, water, food and fuel as well as medical personal, the WHO said.
—Abc News, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2023
Jaylen Brown just picked up his fourth personal on a drive to the rim against Bam Adebayo.
—Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2023
Bam Adebayo just picked up his third personal — an offensive foul away from the ball — with 2:41 to go in the second.
—Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2023
Musical Moments' personal.
—Terry Blain Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 9 Aug. 2020
Kolek scored 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting before he was called for an offensive foul with just under three minutes remaining in the first half for his second personal.
—Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2023
The personal was always political for Ms. Noomin, but she wasn’t moved to make overtly political work until the run-up to the 2016 presidential election and the #MeToo movement.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2022
His scientific disagreements on this issue unfortunately veered occasionally into the personal.
—Julianne Dalcanton, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2010
And that may also mean making climate change personal.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 19 Dec. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'personal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near personal
Cite this Entry
“Personal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
personal
1 of 2 adjective
per·son·al
ˈpərs-nəl 
-ᵊn-əl
1
: of, relating to, or belonging to a person : private
personal property
2
a
: done in person
b
: proceeding from or directed to a single person
c
: carried on between individuals directly
3
: relating to the person or body
your personal appearance
4
: closely related to an individual : intimate
5
: indicating grammatical person
personal
2 of 2 noun
: a short paragraph or ad in a newspaper relating to personal matters
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