Dictionary
per•son•al
Pronunciation: (pûr'su-nl), [key]—
adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or coming as from a particular person; individual; private:
a personal opinion.
2. relating to, directed to, or intended for a particular person:
a personal favor; one's personal life; a letter marked “Personal.”
3. intended for use by one person:
a personal car.
4. referring or directed to a particular person in a disparaging or offensive sense or manner, usually involving character, behavior, appearance, etc.:
personal remarks.
5. making personal remarks or attacks:
to become personal in a dispute.
6. done, carried out, held, etc., in person:
a personal interview.
7. pertaining to or characteristic of a person or self-conscious being:
That is my personal belief.
8. of the nature of an individual rational being.
9. pertaining to the body, clothing, or appearance:
personal cleanliness.
10. provided for one's discretionary use:
Employees are allowed 15 vacation days and two personal days.
11. Gram.
a. noting person:
In Latin portō
“I carry,” -ō
is a personal ending.
b. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the personal pronoun.
12. Law.of or pertaining to personal property:
personal interests.
—
n.
Journalism.
a. a short news paragraph in a newspaper concerning a particular person, as one who is socially prominent, or a group of particular persons who are socially prominent.
b. a brief, private notice in a newspaper or magazine, often addressed to a particular person and typically bearing an abbreviated salutation and signature to preserve its confidentiality, usually printed in a special part of the classified advertising section.
c. a similar notice placed by a person seeking companionship, a spouse, etc.
d. Usually,
personals. a column, page, or section of a newspaper, magazine, etc., featuring such notices or items.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
