What does personally mean?
Personally is an adverb used to describe something carried out by a particular person, concerning that person directly, or done in their physical presence. It may express individual responsibility, as in “I personally arranged the meeting,” emphasize firsthand experience, as in “She met the author personally,” or indicate that a statement or remark concerns someone directly, as in “Don’t take it personally.” In everyday use, the word often signals that the speaker is acting independently rather than through someone else, though it can also carry an emphatic or slightly formal tone. It is closely related to the adjective personal, but the two words have different grammatical roles: personal describes a connection with an individual, whereas personally describes an action or attitude involving an individual.
adverbIn a way that relates to a particular person personally, or concerning oneself directly. It can also mean in person rather than through a representative or written communication.
- Done by or concerning a particular person directly, as in personal responsibility or a personal opinion.
- In person rather than through a representative, intermediary, or written message.
- With direct emotional or critical involvement, especially when saying that something is taken personally.
"She was personally responsible for ensuring that every guest felt welcome."
"I completed the application personally, without help from a proxy."
"He was personally present when the documents were signed."
"Do not take the criticism personally; the remarks were aimed at the proposal."
This word can mean both “done by you yourself” and “done by you in person,” so a single adverb can carry both responsibility and physical presence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does personally come from?
Personally was formed in the early 19th century from personal, with the adverbial suffix -ly. Personal comes from Latin personalis, meaning “of or relating to a person,” ultimately from persona, meaning “mask” and, by extension, the character or person represented by a mask. The same Latin root underlies person, personality, and several other English words.
Related word forms
How personally is actually used
The phrase “take something personally” is common when describing a reaction to criticism or another remark. The adverb can imply direct involvement, personal responsibility, or physical presence, depending on context.
Easily confused with personally
Personal is an adjective describing something connected to an individual, while personally is an adverb describing an action or manner involving an individual directly.