personal
English meaning: Personal
Definition
An advertisement by which individuals attempt to meet others with similar interests.
Example
“He keeps his personal life completely separate from his work.”
Another example: “She placed a personal in the local paper hoping to find a companion.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Most often an adjective meaning relating to one private individual ('personal opinion', 'personal life') or done in person ('a personal visit'). As a noun (as defined) it means a small ad seeking a partner, now somewhat dated. Common in all registers; contrast with 'impersonal'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Late Latin 'personalis', from Latin 'persona' (person, mask); entered English in the late 14th century.
Synonyms
- intimate
- subjective
- private
- physical
- individualized
- personalized
- face-to-face
- person-to-person
- of her own
- of his own
Antonyms / Opposites
- impersonal
- public
- general
Related Words
- belongings
- computers
- metres
- trainer
- privacy
- experiences
- reasons
- seconds
- marathon
- wealth
Common Collocations
- personal information
- personal life
- personal opinion
- personal experience
- personal details
- get personal
Word Forms
personal (adj & n); personals (n pl.); personally (adv); personalise/personalize (v)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B