personally

[pur-suh-nl-ee]

adverb

1. through direct contact; in person; directly.

   I will thank him personally.

2. as if intended for or directed at one's own person.

   to take someone's comments personally.

3. as regards oneself.

   Personally, I don't care to go.

4. as an individual.

   to like someone personally, but not as an employer.

personally

/ ˈpɜːsənəlɪ /

adverb

1. without the help or intervention of others

   I'll attend to it personally

2. (sentence modifier) in one's own opinion or as regards oneself

   personally, I hate onions

3. as if referring to oneself

   to take the insults personally

4. as a person

   we like him personally, but professionally he's incompetent

Word History and Origins

Origin of personally¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; personal + -ly

Example Sentences

"For me personally the split from Grimshaw was an opportunity to completely start again. I saw it as a great release to establish a new identity any way I saw fit."

From BBC

She is reported to have personally presented the Comey case to the grand jury - a panel of citizens who assess the strength of the case - that indicted him.

From BBC

Danyah is trying hard not to take the number of views too personally and though the rewards have been slim, the hope of success is enough to keep her going beyond the experiment.

From BBC

"Vinai, on top of everything, is very clear and for me, personally, I feel in a very stable environment going into work every day."

From BBC

"We reacted quickly with one person I know personally, I have a lot of confidence with Roberto. He is coming to help us."

From BBC

Related Words

• directly 
• individually 
• privately www.thesaurus.com