person-to-person

American  

[pur-suhn-tuh-pur-suhn] / ˈpɜr sən təˈpɜr sən /

adjective

1. involving direct contact or exchange between individuals: Diplomacy requires person-to-person encounters at the highest levels of government.

   The disease is spread through person-to-person contact.

   Diplomacy requires person-to-person encounters at the highest levels of government.

2. (of a long-distance telephone call) chargeable only upon speaking with a specified person at the number called.

   She made a person-to-person call to her brother in California.

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adverb

1. face-to-face; in person.

   They interviewed her person-to-person.

2. (in making a long-distance telephone call) to a specified person.

   I telephoned him person-to-person.

Etymology

Origin of person-to-person

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The first method is person-to-person scams, which involve either pretending to be a family or a friend, often in an emergency situation.

From BBC

"It would definitely depend person-to-person but, at least for me, I'm looking forward in a nervous way," he said.

From BBC

I'm not talking about a letter from a lawyer or a post on Instagram, I mean a real, person-to-person gesture.

From Salon

Health officials say the current risk to the public from bird flu remains low, as no person-to-person spread has been detected.

From Los Angeles Times

Because person-to-person spread of bird flu has not yet been detected, things are not at a point where mask-wearing has been recommended.

From Salon

Related Words

• immediate
• personal