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

She knew she would eventually resume teaching, but everything inside her classroom — personal effects, teaching tools and supplies — was gone.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

Rat Kiley went through the kid’s pockets, placed his personal effects in a plastic bag, taped the bag to Kiowa’s wrist, then used the radio to call in a dustoff.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien