First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
impersonal
adjective im·per·son·al \(ˌ)im-ˈpərs-nəl, -ˈpər-sə-nəl\
: having or showing no interest in individual people or their feelings : lacking emotional warmth
: not relating to or influenced by personal feelings
grammar : having no specified subject or no subject other than “it”
Full Definition of IMPERSONAL
1
a : denoting the verbal action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no expressed subject (as methinks) or with a merely formal subject (as rained in it rained) b of a pronoun : indefinite
2
a : having no personal reference or connection <impersonal criticism> b : not engaging the human personality or emotions <the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency — John Dewey> c : not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics
— im·per·son·al·i·ty \-ˌpər-sə-ˈna-lə-tē\ noun
— im·per·son·al·ly \-ˈpərs-nə-lē, -ˈpər-sə-nə-lē\ adverb
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Origin of IMPERSONAL
Middle English, from Late Latin impersonalis, from Latin in- + Late Latin personalis personal
IMPERSONALITY Defined for Kids
impersonal
adjective im·per·son·al \im-ˈpər-sə-nəl\
Definition of IMPERSONAL for Kids
1
: not caring about individual persons or their feelings <She disliked the large impersonal city.>
2
: not showing or involving personal feelings <We discussed the weather and other impersonal topics.>
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