First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1personal
adjective per·son·al \ˈpərs-nəl, ˈpər-sə-nəl\
: belonging or relating to a particular person
: made or designed to be used by one person
—used to describe someone whose job involves working for or helping a particular person
Full Definition of PERSONAL
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> 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>
See personal defined for English-language learners
See personal defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PERSONAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French personel, from Late Latin personalis, from Latin persona
Related to PERSONAL
- Synonyms
- idiomatic, individualized, particular, patented, peculiar, individual, personalized, private, privy, separate, singular, subjective, unique
2personal
noun
Definition of PERSONAL
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
First Known Use of PERSONAL
1861
PERSONAL[1] Defined for Kids
personal
adjective per·son·al \ˈpər-sə-nəl\
Definition of PERSONAL for Kids
1
: of, relating to, or belonging to an individual human being : not public : not general <personal property>
2
: made or done by a particular individual and not by someone acting for him or her <The mayor made a personal appearance.>
3
: of the body <Take precautions for personal safety.>
4
: relating to someone's private matters <May I ask you a personal question?>
5
: intended for or given to one particular individual <I received personal service.>
6
: relating to a particular individual or his or her qualities often in a way that is hurtful <I took the remark as a personal insult.>
— per·son·al·ly adverb
Learn More About PERSONAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: personal accountPrevious Word in the Dictionary: persona gratissimaAll Words Near: personal
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up personal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).