personal effects

American  

plural noun

1. privately owned articles consisting chiefly of clothing, toilet items, etc., for intimate use by an individual.

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Etymology

Origin of personal effects

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

“But to me, it also seems like it’s somewhat intentional. Because why wouldn’t you as an agency, provide people their their personal documents or personal effects when they get released?”

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2026

After receiving the report from the mountaineers, officers reached the site by helicopter to collect the remains and personal effects from the Ober Gabelhorn glacier.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

Under that water, buildings, statuary, coins and royal personal effects came to rest, and waited to be found.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

It said the documents, which arrived in Argentina on board the Nan-a-Maru steamship from Tokyo in June 1941, had been declared as "personal effects" by the German embassy in Buenos Aires at the time.

From BBC • May 12, 2025

Instead he stood awkwardly in the doorway, looking obviously uncomfortable to be surrounded by the personal effects and intimate possessions of women.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse