When something is personal, it belongs to or affects you as an individual rather than being shared with everyone. Your personal belongings are the things that are yours alone: your backpack, your diary, your collection of rocks or trading cards. A personal opinion is what you think, which might be different from what your friend or sister thinks.

The word also describes things that are private or intimate. A personal question asks about something you might not want to share with just anyone, like your feelings about a difficult situation or details about your family. When someone makes a personal attack, they're criticizing who you are as a person rather than discussing ideas or actions. That's why “don't take it personally” means you shouldn't feel hurt, because the criticism wasn't aimed at you as an individual.

You'll also see personal used to emphasize direct involvement. A personal visit means going somewhere yourself rather than sending a message. Personal experience with something, like learning to ride a bike, means you've actually done it yourself.

The opposite of personal is often impersonal (cold and distant) or public (shared with everyone). Understanding what's personal helps you respect boundaries, both yours and other people's.