Definition of “personal” - English Dictionary

American
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“personal” in English

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personaladjective

uk ​ /ˈpɜː.sən.əl/ us ​ /ˈpɝː.sən.əl/

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.

› A personal action is one that is done by someone directly rather than getting another person to do it:

The mayor made a personal appearance at the hospital.
I will give the matter my personal attention.

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.

C1 relating to your body or appearance:

She is obsessed with personal hygiene.
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?
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.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

personalnoun [ C ]

uk ​ /ˈpɜː.sən.əl/ us ​ /ˈpɝː.sən.əl/

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

“personal” in American English

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personaladjective

us ​ /ˈpɜr·sə·nəl/

› relating or belonging to a single or particular person:

I think you have a personal responsibility to know when to stop.
That’s my personal opinion.
He was given one hour to pack his personal belongings and leave.

› Personal is also used to refer to your body:

Students are taught about personal hygiene.

› A personal action is one that is done by someone directly rather than by someone else:

The governor made a personal appearance at the hospital.

› Personal also means private or relating to someone’s private life:

Simon’s songs are intensely personal.
He’s got problems in his personal life.

› Personal also refers to an intentionally offensive or critical remark about someone’s character or appearance:

There’s no need to get personal.

(Definition of “personal” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“personal” in Business English

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personaladjective

uk ​ /ˈpɜːsənəl/ us ​

› belonging to a single or particular person rather than to a group or an organization:

The rising levels of personal debt are already a considerable problem for the economy.
There is always some personal risk involved in purchase decisions.

› intended for a single or particular person rather than for a group or an organization:

He didn't earn enough to qualify for a personal loan.

› acting as a single or particular person rather than a group or an organization:

The company designs and operates schemes for personal customers such as credit insurance.

› connected with someone's private life, rather than their job:

She has resigned from the board for personal reasons.
The law allows the government access to the personal affairs of many people.
Only you, or someone you authorize, should provide your personal information to others.
The fear is that the collection of so much personal data by one firm could expose it to theft.

(Definition of “personal” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Blogs about "personal"

It’s the thought that counts. (The language of giving and receiving gifts)

by Kate Woodford,

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