Personality vs. Personal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 17, 2023
Personality refers to an individual's unique characteristics and traits, while Personal pertains to something private or specific to an individual.
Difference Between Personality and Personal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Personality encapsulates the combination of characteristics that form an individual's distinct character. These are the traits that make one recognizable, memorable, or unique. On the flip side, Personal relates to a specific individual, especially their private or intimate aspects that are not meant for public sharing.
When discussing someone's Personality, we often refer to qualities like extroversion or introversion, their humor, or their temperament. However, when we label something as Personal, we're pointing to its ownership or its association with a specific person, like personal belongings or personal experiences.
An individual's Personality can shine through in various situations, dictating how they might react or engage with others. It's an intricate blend of natural tendencies, experiences, and learned behaviors. In contrast, Personal matters might include individual feelings, daily routines, or private affairs, indicating things that are unique to that individual alone.
Notably, while everyone has a Personality that can be observed and analyzed, not everything about an individual is meant for public consumption; these are the Personal details. It's crucial to respect personal boundaries, recognizing the difference between appreciating someone's Personality and infringing upon their Personal space or affairs.
In essence, while Personality is about the qualities that make up an individual's character, Personal revolves around what belongs to or concerns that specific individual, separate from anyone else.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Characteristics and traits of an individual.
Relating to an individual, especially private aspects.
Usage
Describes behavior and character.
Indicates ownership or association with a person.
Examples
Extroversion, temperament.
Personal belongings, personal experiences.
Grammatical Form
Noun
Adjective
Relates To
An individual's unique character.
Matters specific to an individual.
Compare with Definitions
Personality
A celebrity or famous person
An official opening by a famous personality
Personal
Of or concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions rather than one's career or public life
The book describes his sporting career and gives little information about his personal life
Personality
An individual's unique combination of traits.
Sarah's vibrant Personality makes her the life of every party.
Personal
Concerning one's private life.
Let's not discuss Personal matters at work.
Personality
The qualities that form one's character.
His calm Personality makes him a great crisis manager.
Personal
Directed at or concerning an individual.
It's nothing Personal; it's just business.
Personality
Behavioral, emotional, and cognitive patterns of an individual.
A friendly Personality often helps in public relations roles.
Personal
Belonging to or affecting a particular person rather than anyone else
Her personal fortune was recently estimated at £37 million
Personality
Personality is defined as the characteristic sets of behaviors, cognitions, and emotional patterns that evolve from biological and environmental factors. While there is no generally agreed upon definition of personality, most theories focus on motivation and psychological interactions with one's environment.
Personal
Relating to a person's body
Personal hygiene
Personality
The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character
She had a sunny personality that was very engaging
She has triumphed by sheer force of personality
Personal
Of or denoting one of the three persons.
Personality
The quality or fact of being a person as distinct from a thing or animal.
Personal
Existing as a self-aware entity, not as an abstraction or an impersonal force
He rejected the notion of a personal God
Personality
Disparaging remarks about an individual.
Personal
An advertisement or message in the personal column of a newspaper.
Personality
The totality of qualities and traits, as of character or behavior, that are peculiar to a specific person.
Personal
Of or relating to a particular person; private
“Like their personal lives, women's history is fragmented, interrupted” (Elizabeth Janeway).
Personality
The totality of behavioral traits that are peculiar to a specific nonhuman animal
A hyena with an assertive personality.
Personal
Done, made, or performed in person
A personal appearance.
Personality
The totality of qualities that distinguish a group, organization, or place
The personality of the business changed dramatically over the years.
Personal
Done to or for or directed toward a particular person
A personal favor.
Personality
The collection of distinctive qualities of a person, especially those distinguishing personal characteristics that make one socially appealing
Won the election more on personality than on capability.
Personal
Concerning a particular person and that person's private business, interests, or activities; intimate
I have something personal to tell you.
Personality
The quality or condition of being a person.
Personal
Aimed pointedly at the most intimate aspects of a person, especially in a critical or hostile manner
An uncalled-for, highly personal remark.
Personality
A person as the embodiment of distinctive traits of mind and behavior.
Personal
Tending to make remarks, or be unduly questioning, about another's affairs
As the student debate got heated, it got personal.
Personality
A person of prominence or notoriety
Television personalities.
Personal
Of or relating to the body or physical being
Personal cleanliness.
Personality
The distinctive characteristics of a place or situation
Furnishings that give a room personality.
Personal
Relating to or having the nature of a person or self-conscious being
Belief in a personal God.
Personality
Personalities An offensive or disparaging personal remark
Let's not engage in personalities.
Personal
(Law) Of or relating to the person
Personal property as opposed to real property.
Personal jurisdiction as opposed to in rem jurisdiction.
Personality
(of people) A set of non-physical psychological and social qualities that make one person distinct from another.
The president has a unique personality.
Personal
(Grammar) Indicating grammatical person.
Personality
(of inanimate or abstract things) A set of qualities that make something distinctive or interesting.
His writing has a lot of personality.
This functional concrete building lacks personality.
Personal
A personal item or notice in a newspaper.
Personality
An assumed role or manner of behavior.
In his final act, the comedian takes on a child's personality.
Personal
Personals A column in a newspaper or magazine featuring personal notices.
Personality
A celebrity, especially one with a strong media presence.
Johnny Carson was a respected television personality.
Personal
Pertaining to persons (human beings as opposed to things or animals).
Personality
Charisma, or qualities that make a person stand out from the crowd.
The best contestant shows most personality.
Personal
Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals
Her song was her personal look at the values of friendship.
Personal values
Personal desire
Personality
Something said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks.
Indulgence in personalities
Personal
Dealing with subjects about which one wishes (or people usually wish) to maintain privacy or discretion; not for public view; sensitive, intimate.
You can't read my diary—it is personal.
That's a very personal question.
I can't believe you went through my drawers and looked at all my personal things!
Personal reasons
Personality
(legal) That quality of a law which concerns the condition, state, and capacity of persons
Personal
(euphemistic) Intended for sexual use.
Personal lubricant; personal massager
Personality
That which constitutes distinction of person; the externally evident aspects of the character or behavior of a person; individuality.
Personality is individuality existing in itself, but with a nature as a ground.
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; bodily.
Personal charms
Personality
Something said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks; as, indulgence in personalities.
Sharp personalities were exchanged.
Personal
Done in person; without an intermediary.
A personal interview
A personal meeting
Personal settings
Personality
That quality of a law which concerns the condition, state, and capacity of persons.
Personal
Relating to an individual, their character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner
Personal reflections or remarks
Personality
A person who is famous or notable; a celebrity.
Personal
(grammar) Denoting a person or people.
A personal pronoun
Personality
The complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual;
Their different reactions reflected their very different personalities
It is his nature to help others
Personal
Denoting ownership.
One's personal vehicle, as opposed to a company vehicle
Personality
A person of considerable prominence;
She is a Hollywood personality
Personal
An advertisement by which an individual attempts to meet others with similar interests.
Personality
A set of characteristics distinguishing an individual.
She has a Personality that's both assertive and kind.
Personal
One's own property or asset
Personality
The way an individual interacts and reacts.
His Personality was molded by his challenging upbringing.
Personal
Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
Personal
Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.
The words are conditional, - If thou doest well, - and so personal to Cain.
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
Personal
Done in person; without the intervention of another.
The immediate and personal speaking of God.
Personal
Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
Personal
Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.
Personal
A movable; a chattel.
Personal
A short newspaper article about a particular person or group
Personal
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
Personal
Particular to a given individual
Personal
Of or arising from personality;
Personal magnetism
Personal
Intimately concerning a person's body or physical being;
Personal hygiene
Personal
Indicating grammatical person;
Personal verb endings
Personal
Relating to a specific individual.
These are my Personal notes from the meeting.
Personal
Indicating ownership or association.
This is my Personal opinion, not my company's.
Personal
Intimate or private in nature.
Please respect my Personal boundaries.
Common Curiosities
Is every detail about a person's life considered Personal?
Yes, details specific to an individual, especially private ones, are considered Personal.
Can a Personal opinion be based on Personality traits?
Yes, one's Personal opinions can often be influenced by their Personality.
Is Personality always visible?
While core aspects of Personality are consistent, not all traits may be evident in every situation.
Can Personal relate to privacy?
Yes, Personal often pertains to something private or specific to an individual.
Is Personality genetic or learned?
Personality is a blend of both genetic predispositions and environmental influences.
Can a Personal story reveal aspects of one's Personality?
Yes, personal anecdotes often provide insights into an individual's Personality.
Can Personality be influenced by experiences?
Absolutely, life experiences can shape and modify one's Personality.
What does Personality mainly refer to?
Personality primarily denotes the unique characteristics and traits of an individual.
Are Personal belongings related to Personality?
Not directly, but one's belongings can sometimes reflect aspects of their Personality.
Can one's Personality change over time?
While core traits often remain, aspects of Personality can evolve with experiences and age.
What's more private, Personality traits or Personal details?
Personal details are typically more private than observable Personality traits.
What makes a Personal experience unique?
A Personal experience is unique because it's specific to an individual's life and perspective.
How can I understand someone's Personality better?
Observing their behavior, reactions, and interactions over time can provide insights.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
