personally

adverb

per·​son·​al·​ly ˈpərs-nə-lē How to pronounce personally (audio)
ˈpər-sə-nə-
Synonyms of personallynext
1
: in person
attend to the matter personally
2
: as a person : in personality
personally attractive but not very trustworthy
3
: for oneself : as far as oneself is concerned
personally, I don't want to go
4
: in a personal manner
don't take this personally
5
: in a way that involves someone's personal life
I don't know her personally. [=I have never met her]
often, specifically : in a way that involves someone's personal life as opposed to someone's work or job
I know her both personally and professionally.

Synonyms of personally

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Examples of personally in a Sentence

You will be held personally responsible for any losses or damages. The player was personally criticized by his coach. He blamed me personally for causing the problem. I was personally offended by the article.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its buyers personally vet the relatively limited selection of items the company sells, which management said should allow its combination of price, quality, and customer reviews to stand out when consumers search using AI. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Tinubu’s then-employers at Mobil Oil told investigators his treasurer role did not involve moving large sums and that the company never authorized him to hold its funds personally. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The payouts combine unpaid overtime, reimbursement for housing illegally deducted from their pay and hefty damages personally sought by investigating Prosecutor Paolo Storari, Brigatti said. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026 The new 30-page indictment states that Maduro personally ordered the torture of detainees, received reports on their treatment and sometimes instructed security officials to intensify the abuse. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for personally

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of personally was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing personally

Rhymes for personally

See All Rhymes for personally

Browse Nearby Words

personal loan
personally
personal name
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Personally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personally. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

personally

adverb
per·​son·​al·​ly ˈpərs-nə-lē How to pronounce personally (audio)
-ᵊn-ə-
1
: in person
attend to the matter personally
2
: as a person : in personality
personally attractive
3
: for oneself : as far as oneself is concerned
personally, I am against it
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