Origin: Latin suffix -al
Personal has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:
a short newspaper article about a particular person or group
"The editor decided to run a personal piece about the local firefighters who saved the neighborhood last night."
An advertisement by which individuals attempt to meet others with similar interests.
"He joined a personal column in the newspaper hoping to find someone who shares his love for vintage motorcycles."
In plain English: A personal item is something that belongs to you and is used only by you.
"The meeting was scheduled to take place at my personal convenience."
Usage: As a noun, a personal refers specifically to a classified advertisement placed in a newspaper or online forum where individuals seek romantic partners, friends, or acquaintances based on shared interests. While the word commonly functions as an adjective describing something private or individual, it is rarely used as a standalone noun in modern conversation outside of this specific advertising context.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
"a personal favor"
"for your personal use"
"personal papers"
"I have something personal to tell you"
"a personal God"
"he has his personal bank account and she has hers"
particular to a given individual
"She kept her personal diary locked away so no one else could read her private thoughts."
Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
"The committee agreed that while machines can process data, only humans possess personal creativity and moral judgment."
In plain English: Something that is personal belongs to you and is about your own life or feelings.
"She kept her personal diary locked in the drawer."
Usage: Use personal to describe matters, feelings, or actions that belong specifically to an individual rather than being general or official. Avoid using it when referring to something merely human in contrast to non-human objects, as that distinction is better expressed by terms like "human."
The word "personal" comes from the Middle English term for something related to a specific individual. It entered English via Old French and Late Latin, where it originally described qualities belonging directly to a person rather than being general or impersonal.