personal space

American  

noun

1. the variable and subjective distance at which one person feels comfortable talking to another.

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Example Sentences

In a hybrid-work world, the office should be a place that enhances productivity and restoring a sense of personal space would help achieve that.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

For some, withdrawing into a small personal space and lowering expectations seems like a rational, even self-protective, response.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

“Carving out personal space promotes a sense of agency,” Tovar says, “and provides you refuge if you need to get away from the crowd.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2025

These findings are inconsistent with previous studies which report that sympathetic activity, or the "fight or flight" response, is activated when a stranger invades our personal space.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2024

Dimple sat beside him, her arms and legs stiff, as if she were afraid of encroaching on his personal space, of touching him.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon