What does impersonalizing mean?
Impersonalizing is the act of making a person, process, communication, or institution less personal. The term commonly applies to removing individual names, emotions, or personal involvement from an interaction, as when a company uses automated systems to handle customer enquiries or when a form treats everyone according to identical criteria. It may also suggest treating people as cases or roles rather than as individuals. The word has a somewhat formal, occasionally critical tone: impersonalizing a process can describe practical efficiency, but it can also imply loss of empathy and individuality. Its negative prefix can cause momentary confusion because “im-” in “impersonalizing” is part of the larger word “impersonal,” not an independent negation added to “personalizing.” The related verb “impersonalize” is useful when discussing systems, communication, design, or institutional practice.
verbImpersonalizing means making something less personal by removing individual characteristics, feelings, or involvement. It can also describe treating people or situations in a detached, routine manner.
- To make something less personal by removing individual characteristics, feelings, identity, or involvement.
"He avoided impersonalizing the discussion by allowing each participant to speak personally."
"The company impersonalized its customer service by introducing an automated support system."
"The director warned that standardizing the application form should not mean impersonalizing the interview process."
“Impersonalizing” begins with “im-,” but it does not mean “not personal”; it means making something less personal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of impersonalizing
“Impersonalizing” is formed from “impersonal” and the suffix “-ize,” a combination that became productive in English during the 19th century. “Impersonal” in turn comes from Latin personalis, derived from persona, meaning “mask” or “character.” Related English words such as “personalize,” “personality,” and “personable” continue to reflect that Latin origin.
Related word forms
How impersonalizing is actually used
Relatively uncommon and somewhat formal or technical. It is often more specific than “making impersonal” and can suggest depersonalization through bureaucracy, automation, or detachment.
Easily confused with impersonalizing
“Impersonal” describes something that is already impersonal, whereas “impersonalizing” describes the process of making it less personal.