personal effects

American

plural noun

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

Etymology

Origin of personal effects

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“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

In many cases, the only option was to search for shoes, clothes or other personal effects.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2025

Mr. Kreuk has already checked the pockets and laid her personal effects on top of the coat.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023