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

My parents had a bedroom on the first floor, their own bathroom, and a big window that looked into the backyard—probably more personal space than anyone in their families had ever known.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove