impersonal
adjective
im·per·son·al
(ˌ)im-ˈpər-sə-nəl 
-ˈpərs-nəl
1
a
: lacking emotional warmth
a giant impersonal corporation
b(1)
: not relating to or influenced by personal feelings
an impersonal, professional attitude
(2)
: having no personal reference or connection
impersonal criticism
c
: not engaging the human personality or emotions
The machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency.—
John Dewey
John Dewey
d
: not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics
2
a
: denoting the verbal action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no expressed subject (such as methinks) or with a merely formal subject (such as rained in it rained)
b
of a pronoun
: indefinite
Examples of impersonal in a Sentence
We discussed the weather and other impersonal topics.
He maintained an impersonal, professional attitude.
“Rained” in “it rained” is an impersonal verb.
Recent Examples on the Web
Although many modern artists have used collage to navigate and interpret the impersonal detritus of mass culture, Canty’s work, with its understated sense of place, is quite different.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
But looking for a new job requires running a gauntlet of online application portals, artificial intelligence screening and impersonal interviews that have turned the job search into a minefield.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
But again his contact with the paternal figure—the guru—is unfulfilling, impersonal.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
This kind of strict symmetry can make a living room feel stiff and impersonal—more like a waiting room than a space meant to be lived in.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impersonal
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Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
But looking for a new job requires running a gauntlet of online application portals, artificial intelligence screening and impersonal interviews that have turned the job search into a minefield.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
But again his contact with the paternal figure—the guru—is unfulfilling, impersonal.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
This kind of strict symmetry can make a living room feel stiff and impersonal—more like a waiting room than a space meant to be lived in.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impersonal
Cite this Entry
“Impersonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impersonal. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impersonal
adjective
im·per·son·al
(ˈ)im-ˈpərs-nəl
-ᵊn-əl
1
: having no expressed subject or no subject other than "it"
"rained" in "it rained" is an impersonal verb
2
: not personal:
a
: not showing or involving personal feelings : detached
an impersonal professional attitude
b
: not caring about individual persons or their feelings
cold impersonal cities
a giant impersonal corporation
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