personal

adjective

/ˈpɜː.sən.əl/

/ˈpɝː.sən.əl/

Definition

B1 relating or belonging to a single or particular person rather than to a group or an organization: My personal opinion/view is that the students should be doing more work outside the classroom. Her uncle takes a personal interest in her progress. She has her own personal secretary/bodyguard/fitness instructor. Passengers are reminded to take all their personal belongings with them when they leave the plane.Particular and individual › A personal action is one that is done by someone directly rather than getting another person to do it: The health minister made a personal appearance at the hospital. I will give the matter my personal attention.Particular and individual B1 private or relating to someone's private life: The letter was marked 'Personal. Strictly confidential.' Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? His resignation was apparently for personal rather than professional reasons. For such a famous, wealthy man, his personal life was surprisingly simple and ordinary.Secrecy and privacy C1 relating to your body or appearance: She is obsessed with personal hygiene.Mind and personalityScience of psychology and psychoanalysis personal remark/comment › an intentionally offensive remark about someone's character or appearance: Did you have to make such a personal remark about her new haircut?Rude and cheekyRelating to sex and sexual desire get personal informal › to start being rude to someone about their character or appearance: As long as the criticism is honestly given and doesn't get personal, I can handle it.Insults and abuseTreating people or animals badly

(Definition of personal adjective from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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