personal
gb/pˈɚsənəl/ us/pˈɚsənəl/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Relating to an individual person
About or connected to one person, not others.
Usage pattern:
[personal] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'personal' with 'private'. 'Personal' means related to a person, while 'private' means not for others to see or know.
Synonyms
private (Emphasizes something meant to be kept from others, often more about secrecy.)
Antonyms
public (Belonging to or open for everyone, not specific to one person.)
Collocations
personal life
|personal information
|personal opinion
|personal experience
|personal belongings
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She refused to answer questions about her personal life.
- Your personal belongings are in the locker.
- That's just my personal opinion, not the company's view.
- He shared his personal experience of living abroad.
- Personal information should be kept secure.
Learner examples
- This is my personal bag.
- I don't talk about my personal life at work.
- Please keep your personal things in your room.
- That is my personal choice.
- He told me his personal story.
adjective
A2
property
2
For use by one person only
Made for one person to use.
Usage pattern:
[personal] [item/device/service]
Synonyms
individual (Focuses on being for one specific person rather than shared.)
Antonyms
shared (Used by more than one person.)
Collocations
personal computer
|personal account
|personal space
Themes
daily life
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I have my own personal computer at home.
- Please respect my personal space.
- Each employee has a personal locker.
Learner examples
- This is my personal phone.
- I need my personal space.
- He uses his personal account for shopping.
adjective
B1
property
3
Based on someone's feelings or opinions
Based on how someone feels or thinks, not on facts.
Usage pattern:
[personal] [view/decision/opinion]
Synonyms
subjective (More formal; used in contrast to 'objective'.)
Antonyms
objective (Based on facts and not influenced by feelings.)
Collocations
personal opinion
|personal judgment
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- That's a personal judgment, not a scientific one.
- Her choice of dress was a personal decision.
- I don't take it personally; it's just business.
Learner examples
- This is my personal opinion.
- It is my personal choice.
- That is a personal question.
adjective
B1
property
4
Done by oneself directly
Done by a person themselves, not by someone else.
Synonyms
direct (Suggests without intermediaries; may apply beyond people.)
Antonyms
delegated (Given to someone else to do instead of doing it yourself.)
Collocations
personal visit
|personal attention
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The president made a personal visit to the disaster area.
- I want to give you my personal attention on this matter.
- She took a personal interest in the project.
Learner examples
- I made a personal call to her.
- He gave me his personal help.
- She made a personal trip to see her friend.
Grammar
Dictionary form
personal
IPA
GB/pˈɚsənəl/
US/pˈɚsənəl/
Syllables & stress
per - son - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: personal
Word family
Core family
Related words
personalize
verb B2
personnel
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
impersonal
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
Expressions
personal best
1/pˈɚsənəl bˈɛst/
fixed phrase
One's best achievement so far
The best result you have ever achieved in something.
Examples
- She ran the race in 20 minutes, a new personal best.
- He scored 95 points, beating his previous personal best.
nothing personal
1/nˈʌθɪŋ pˈɚsənəl/
fixed phrase
Not meant as an insult to you
Used to say that what you are doing is not because of dislike for the other person.
Examples
- It's nothing personal, I just have to follow the rules.
- Nothing personal, but I think we should hire someone else.
nothing personal
2/nˈʌθɪŋ pˈɚsənəl/
fixed phrase
Not meant as an insult to you specifically
Used to say you are not trying to hurt someone’s feelings.
Examples
- Nothing personal, but I think we need someone else for this job.
- It's nothing personal; it's just business policy.
take it personally
1/tˈeɪk ˈɪt pˈɚsənəli/
fixed phrase
Feel hurt by something said/done
To feel upset because you think something is directed at you personally.
Examples
- Don't take it personally; he's rude to everyone.
- She took the criticism personally and was very upset.
- She took the comment personally and stopped talking to him.