personally

American  

[pur-suh-nl-ee] / ˈpɜr sə nl i /

adverb

1. through direct contact; in person; directly.

   I will thank him personally.

2. as if intended for or directed at one's own person.

   to take someone's comments personally.

3. as regards oneself.

   Personally, I don't care to go.

4. as an individual.

   to like someone personally, but not as an employer.

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personally British  

/ ˈpɜːsənəlɪ /

adverb

1. without the help or intervention of others

   I'll attend to it personally

2. (sentence modifier) in one's own opinion or as regards oneself

   personally, I hate onions

3. as if referring to oneself

   to take the insults personally

4. as a person

   we like him personally, but professionally he's incompetent

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Etymology

Origin of personally

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; personal + -ly

Explanation

When you do something personally, you do it yourself. If you promise you'll personally sell Girl Scout cookies to your neighbors, you can't just put flyers in their mailboxes or make your brother knock on their doors. Doing things personally means doing them in person, often not involving anyone else. If the grand prize of a contest involves your favorite movie star personally driving you around Hollywood in a Rolls Royce, it means she'll be the one behind the wheel. Another way to use this word is to mean "privately," as when someone's work life is great but they're really struggling personally. You can also use personally to refer to yourself: "Personally, I prefer vanilla ice cream."

Example Sentences

But don’t take it personally on your favorite shows’ behalf, because Emmy voters don’t know or see everything.

From Salon • Jul. 9, 2026

ZIMBALIST: I’ll say this: I’d personally rather see a city invest equivalent public dollars in a museum or a concert hall—institutions that strike me as more genuinely culturally enriching.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

US President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that work was underway to build a "beautiful" new helipad at the White House, in his latest personally directed redesign to the iconic building.

From Barron's • Jul. 6, 2026

"I believe with Janie, and what I share with Janie, I know that personally I am so lucky to have found acting," Keyworth told BBC Radio Cymru.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2026

John Kennedy had personally approved the trade of Rudolf Abel for Francis Gary Powers.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• directly
• individually
• privately