Personally: meaning, definitions and examples

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personally

[ˈpɜː.sən.ə.li ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a personal or individual manner

In a way that relates to or affects a particular person rather than anyone else. Personally is often used to emphasize that the speaker is speaking for themselves and not on behalf of anyone else. It is used to express a personal opinion or feeling.

Synonyms

individually, privately, subjectively.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
personally	Use when expressing your own opinion or when discussing something that affects you directly. Personally, I think this movie is amazing. I personally feel that we should pursue a different strategy.
individually	Use when referring to one person at a time, emphasizing that each person is considered separately. The teacher spoke to the students individually to understand their concerns. Each cookie is individually wrapped for freshness.
privately	Use when talking about something that is done or discussed away from public view, in a confidential or personal manner. Can we talk privately about this issue? They met privately to discuss the terms of the contract.
subjectively	Use when discussing something based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions, and not on external facts or evidence. Subjectively speaking, I prefer the old design over the new one. Her review of the book was quite subjective.

Examples of usage

I personally believe that we should focus on this issue.
Do you think it's appropriate to ask someone about their personal life?

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

used to emphasize that something is done or felt by one person rather than by someone else

Used to emphasize that something is done or felt by one person rather than by someone else. Personally can be used to express a strong personal feeling or preference.

Synonyms

individually, privately, subjectively.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
personally	Used when expressing one's own opinion, feelings, or involvement. It emphasizes personal perspective or experience. Personally, I think the movie was great. I will handle this matter personally.
individually	Used when referring to one person or item at a time, often highlighting separation or distinction from others. Each student was interviewed individually. The items are sold individually, not as a set.
privately	Used to denote a conversation or action that is not meant for public knowledge, often emphasizing confidentiality. She discussed the issue privately with her boss. They met privately to resolve their differences.
subjectively	Used when emphasizing that a statement or perception is based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than external facts. The review was written subjectively, reflecting the author's personal taste. Subjectively, I find this music calming.

Examples of usage

I have a personally signed copy of his latest book.
She takes personally any criticism of her work.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'persona,' meaning mask or character, which relates to how individuals present themselves.
In Middle English, it evolved to mean ‘of a person’ and then transformed into its modern sense during the late 14th century.

Psychology

Using 'personally' in conversation often signals intimacy and closeness, indicating a shift to more private topics.
People who express their feelings personally tend to develop stronger social bonds and trust within relationships.

Communication

'Personally' is frequently used in dialogues to emphasize opinion or experience, distinguishing between shared thoughts and individual feelings.
In written communication, using 'personally' can make messages more relatable and engaging for the audience.

Cultural Relevance

Personal storytelling is a key component of many cultures, often used to pass down traditions and foster connections.
In modern social media, the use of 'personally' has become common as users share personal experiences, shaping online communication.

Translations

Translations of the word "personally" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pessoalmente

🇮🇳 व्यक्तिगत रूप से

🇩🇪 persönlich

🇮🇩 secara pribadi

🇺🇦 особисто

🇵🇱 osobiście

🇯🇵 個人的に

🇫🇷 personnellement

🇪🇸 personalmente

🇹🇷 şahsen

🇰🇷 개인적으로

🇸🇦 شخصيًا

🇨🇿 osobně

🇸🇰 osobne

🇨🇳 亲自

🇸🇮 osebno

🇮🇸 persónulega

🇰🇿 жеке

🇬🇪 პირადად

🇦🇿 şəxsən

🇲🇽 personalmente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,388, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

...
3385 interpreted
3386 terrible
3387 colonial
3388 personally
3389 prefer
3390 threatened
3391 operative
...