interpersonal
gb/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl/ us/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl/
B2
English
~ 7500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
relating to interactions between people
About how people talk, act, and relate with each other.
Usage pattern:
interpersonal [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "interpersonal" with "personal". "Personal" usually means "about one person" or "private", while "interpersonal" always involves at least two people. For example, "personal problem" is about you alone, but "interpersonal problem" is about your relationship with someone else.
Synonyms
social (Broader; can refer to society in general, not only direct person-to-person relationships.)
|
relational (Focuses on the fact that something is about a relationship; slightly more abstract and formal.)
|
people-oriented (Describes a focus on people and their needs; less technical and often about personality or style.)
Antonyms
intrapersonal (Refers to processes within one person (thoughts, feelings), not between people.)
|
impersonal (Describes something distant, not warm, or not focused on personal relationships.)
Collocations
interpersonal skills
|interpersonal communication
|interpersonal relationships
|interpersonal conflict
|interpersonal problems
|interpersonal dynamics
Themes
psychology
|work
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Good interpersonal skills are essential for leadership roles.
- The course focuses on improving students’ interpersonal communication.
- There is a lot of interpersonal conflict in that team right now.
- Therapists need strong interpersonal awareness to understand their clients’ needs.
- Interpersonal relationships at work can have a big impact on job satisfaction.
Learner examples
- He has very good interpersonal skills.
- Interpersonal communication is important in this job.
- There is some interpersonal conflict in our group.
- She wants to build better interpersonal relationships with her classmates.
- The training will help you develop your interpersonal abilities.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interpersonal
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl/
US/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - per - son - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: interpersonal
Word family
Core family
interpersonally
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
impersonal
adjective B2
impersonally
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
intrapersonal
adjective
Expressions
interpersonal boundary
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl bˈaʊndɚi/
fixed phrase
limits in relationships with others
A clear rule or line about what is okay and not okay in how others treat you or interact with you.
Examples
- It is healthy to set interpersonal boundaries at work.
- Therapy helped him create better interpersonal boundaries with his family.
interpersonal communication
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl kəmjˌunɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
communication between individuals
Communication that happens directly between people, such as talking, listening, and sending messages.
Examples
- The class teaches basic principles of interpersonal communication.
- Good interpersonal communication can prevent many problems at work.
interpersonal conflict
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl kˈɑnflɪkt/
fixed phrase
conflict between individuals
A fight, argument, or serious disagreement between people.
Examples
- Managers must know how to handle interpersonal conflict on their teams.
- Interpersonal conflict can reduce productivity if it is not addressed.
interpersonal dynamics
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl daɪnˈæmɪks/
fixed phrase
formal
patterns in how people interact
The changing ways people behave and react to each other in a group or relationship.
Examples
- The workshop explores the interpersonal dynamics of small teams.
- Power differences can strongly influence interpersonal dynamics.
interpersonal problems
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl pɹˈɑbləmz/
fixed phrase
relationship difficulties with others
Problems that happen in your relationships with other people.
Examples
- She went to counseling to work on her interpersonal problems.
- Many teenagers experience interpersonal problems at school.
interpersonal relationship
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
relationship between people
A relationship or connection between two or more people.
Examples
- Healthy interpersonal relationships are important for mental well-being.
- The study looks at interpersonal relationships among coworkers.
interpersonal skills
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
abilities for dealing with people
The abilities you use to communicate and work well with other people.
Examples
- The company is looking for candidates with strong interpersonal skills.
- Her interpersonal skills helped resolve the argument quickly.
interpersonal style
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl stˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
typical way of dealing with people
The usual way someone talks to and behaves with other people.
Examples
- His warm interpersonal style makes clients feel comfortable.
- Leaders often adapt their interpersonal style to different situations.
interpersonal trust
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl tɹˈʌst/
fixed phrase
formal
trust in other individuals
The feeling that you can trust other people to be fair and honest.
Examples
- High levels of interpersonal trust can improve cooperation in a team.
- Interpersonal trust is damaged when promises are broken.
interpersonal violence
1/ˌɪntɚpˈɚsənəl vˈaɪələns/
fixed phrase
technical
violence between individuals
Violent acts where one person hurts another person, physically or emotionally.
Examples
- The report shows a rise in interpersonal violence in the region.
- Programs to prevent interpersonal violence often focus on education and support.