personable

[ pur-suh-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. having an agreeable or pleasing personality; affable; amiable; sociable.
2. of pleasing personal appearance; handsome or comely; attractive.

personable

/ ˈpɜːsənəbəl /

adjective

1. pleasant in appearance and personality

Derived Forms

• ˈpersonableness, noun
• ˈpersonably, adverb

Other Words From

• person·a·ble·ness noun
• person·a·bly adverb
• quasi-person·a·ble adjective
• quasi-person·a·bly adverb
• un·person·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of personable¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; person, -able

Example Sentences

In the meantime, though, it’s a thoughtful, personable, and — yes, I’ll say it — inspiring look at Buttigieg as a man, rather than a phenomenon or a political event.

From Washington Blade

They also have to show up at press conferences and be personable and relatable, all while holding themselves to a different standard of behavior than ordinary people — by, for example, never smoking marijuana.

From Vox

Manchin is personable, but not spectacularly charming or charismatic.

From FiveThirtyEight

Sundberg was a personable figure in the locker room who served as the team’s representative to the players’ association and was an active member of the community through his “Loads of Love” program.

From Washington Post

They focused on her shrewd ability to zero in on the most important details, as well as ask follow-up questions that elicited shocking responses, while expressing empathy and appearing so personable that viewers felt invested.

From Washington Post

Though never handsome, Spahn was a strong solidly built man in his youth with a plain yet personable manner.

From The Daily Beast

Personable and approachable, Jordin was easy to give instruction to because she was present.

From The Daily Beast

She was another one who was present and really—she had the background, she was personable, and she wanted to learn.

From The Daily Beast

Liz, a small, personable woman, says she does not want to punish Cheryl Thayer.

From The Daily Beast

The personable lead character now runs a soul food restaurant with her son in St. Louis.

From The Daily Beast

I forgot to tell Baxter that the dummy had turned up and is a fine, personable-looking volume and very good reading.

From Project Gutenberg

But he was a very personable young man; and so thought the bridemaids and Miss Betsey herself.

From Project Gutenberg

The athletic and personable young actor—entitled upon programmes Owen Delamore—was striding to and fro talking excitedly.

From Project Gutenberg

She gave no coherent answer, but smiled always, then leaned forward and stroked Mrs. Benson upon her personable cheek.

From Project Gutenberg

Personable; comely, well-looking, handsome:—'Diarmid Bawn the piper, as personable a looking man as any in the five parishes.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affable
• amiable
• attractive
• charming
• easygoing
• gregarious
• likable
• pleasant