# personally

Pronunciation: say "PUR-suh-nuh-lee" US /ˈpɝ.sə.nə.li/, UK /ˈpɜː.sə.nə.li/

## Adverb

1. As far as oneself is concerned; used to offer one's own opinion or describe one's own situation rather than a general view.
   - Simple: Used when you give your own opinion or talk about how something affects you.
   - _Personally, I'd rather rent than take on a mortgage right now._
   - _My brother loves horror movies, but personally I find them more silly than scary._
2. In person; through one's own presence or action rather than through an agent or intermediary.
   - Simple: Doing something yourself instead of asking someone else to do it.
   - _The CEO personally interviewed each finalist for the position._
   - _Rather than delegating the apology, the manager delivered it personally._
3. In a manner that concerns or is directed at someone as an individual, often engaging private feelings.
   - Simple: In a way that is about you as a person and can touch your feelings.
   - _He tried not to take the rejection personally, but it stung for weeks._
   - _The editorial attacked the mayor personally instead of addressing his policies._
4. As a person; with regard to one's individual character rather than one's role, office, or abilities.
   - Simple: Used to talk about what someone is like as a person, not their job.
   - _The senator is personally charming, whatever you make of her politics._
   - _I have nothing against him personally; my objection is to the proposal itself._

## Origin

From Middle English personally (also spelled personely, personallich, personaliche), formed from personal plus the suffix -ly.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/personally (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).