personally
adverb
per·son·al·ly
ˈpərs-nə-lē 
ˈpər-sə-nə-
1
: in person
attend to the matter personally
2
: as a person : in personality
personally attractive but not very trustworthy
3
: for oneself : as far as oneself is concerned
personally, I don't want to go
4
: in a personal manner
don't take this personally
5
: in a way that involves someone's personal life
I don't know her personally. [=I have never met her]
often, specifically
: in a way that involves someone's personal life as opposed to someone's work or job
I know her both personally and professionally.
Examples of personally in a Sentence
You will be held personally responsible for any losses or damages.
The player was personally criticized by his coach.
He blamed me personally for causing the problem.
I was personally offended by the article.
Recent Examples on the Web
Notably, Mayor Johnson personally presented Pope Leo with a key to the City of Chicago and an invitation to return home and deliver mass in Grant Park.
—
Vince Gerasole, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Trump has personally signed off on the designs, the Post reported.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Mike Draper replied personally to set up a call.
—Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Davis personally scouted talent obsessively.
—Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for personally
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Vince Gerasole, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Trump has personally signed off on the designs, the Post reported.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Mike Draper replied personally to set up a call.
—Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Davis personally scouted talent obsessively.
—Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for personally
Cite this Entry
“Personally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personally. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
personally
adverb
per·son·al·ly
ˈpərs-nə-lē
-ᵊn-ə-
1
: in person
attend to the matter personally
2
: as a person : in personality
personally attractive
3
: for oneself : as far as oneself is concerned
personally, I am against it
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