personal
/'pə:snl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Relating to or affecting a particular person: "personal" describes something belonging to, concerning, or affecting a specific individual, rather than a group or the public.
- Done or made by a particular person: It indicates something performed, used, or intended for a specific individual.
- Referring to a person's private life: "personal" can describe matters that are private or intimate.
- Relating to a person's body or physical presence: It pertains to aspects concerning one's physical being or appearance.
- Existing as a person: In a philosophical or theological context, it can describe a deity or entity having the qualities of a person.
Noun:
- A short news item: In journalism, a "personal" is a brief article or advertisement about a particular person or small group, often found in newspapers.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- That is my personal belief. (That belief belongs specifically to me.)
- Please keep your personal belongings with you. (These are items belonging to you as an individual.)
- She asked me a very personal question. (The question concerned my private life.)
- Good personal hygiene is important. (This relates to the care of one's own body.)
- Many believe in a personal God. (A God conceived of as having a personal nature.)
Noun:
- I saw his announcement in the personals section of the paper. (I read his short notice in the newspaper's classified ads for individuals.)
Advanced Usage
"To take something personally": To interpret a remark or action as a direct insult or criticism aimed at oneself.
- He criticized the team's work, but she took it personally. (She felt the criticism was directed at her as an individual.)
"Personal best": An individual's highest achievement or best performance in a particular activity to date.
- The runner set a new personal best in the marathon. (She achieved her fastest time ever in that race.)
Variants and Related Words
Personally (adverb): In a personal manner; from one's own viewpoint.
- I will deliver the message personally. (I will do it myself, in person.)
- Personally, I think it's a good idea. (This is my own individual opinion.)
Personality (noun): The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.
- Personalize (verb): To design or tailor something to meet an individual's personal requirements or preferences.
- You can personalize the cover of the notebook. (You can add your name or design to make it your own.)
Synonyms
- Individual: Of or for a particular person.
- Private: Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group only.
- Intimate: Private and personal, often involving close familiarity.
Related Phrases
- Personal space: The physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which encroachment can feel threatening or uncomfortable.
- Personal computer (PC): A computer designed for use by one person at a time.
- Personal assistant: A secretary or administrative assistant working for one particular person.
Idioms
Nothing personal: A phrase used to indicate that a critical remark or action is not intended as an attack on someone's character.
- It's nothing personal; it's just business. (My decision is based on objective factors, not on my feelings about you.)
A personal touch: A detail that makes something feel more individual and thoughtfully prepared.
- The handwritten note added a personal touch to the gift. (It made the gift feel more special and direct from the giver.)
Adjective
- indicating grammatical person
- personal verb endings
- intimately concerning a person's body or physical being
- personal hygiene
- of or arising from personality
- personal magnetism
- particular to a given individual
- concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
- a personal favor
- for your personal use
- personal papers
- I have something personal to tell you
- a personal God
- he has his personal bank account and she has hers
Noun
- a short newspaper article about a particular person or group