Personal vs. Private: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on October 30, 2023
Personal pertains to an individual, often reflecting characteristics or preferences, while private emphasizes confidentiality or restricted access.
Key Differences
Personal and private are two adjectives that often intersect in meaning but have distinct applications. Personal refers to something that belongs to or is associated with a particular person, often reflecting their characteristics, emotions, or preferences. On the other hand, private pertains to something that is meant to be kept away from public view or knowledge, emphasizing its confidential nature.
When we talk about personal items, we often mean things like personal letters, personal opinions, or personal belongings, which directly relate to an individual's life, emotions, or experiences. Conversely, private usually highlights the idea of exclusion from the general public or unauthorized personnel, such as in private property or private information.
Personal can also suggest something that is tailored to an individual's unique preferences or needs. For instance, a personal trainer designs workout regimes tailored to individual clients. In contrast, private can suggest exclusivity, as seen in the context of private schools or private clubs, where admission is restricted.
It's important to note that while all private matters are personal in nature, not all personal matters are private. For example, a personal hobby might be known widely among friends and acquaintances but doesn't necessarily mean it's private. On the contrary, private matters are generally considered sensitive and are typically concealed from the wider public.
In sum, personal largely revolves around individual identity, characteristics, and associations, whereas private emphasizes secrecy, confidentiality, and restricted access.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Relating to an individual, reflecting characteristics or preferences.
Emphasizing confidentiality or restricted access.
Context
Personal opinion, personal belongings.
Private property, private information.
Nuance
Individuality and specificity.
Secrecy and exclusivity.
Overlap
All private matters are personal.
Not all personal matters are private.
Usage
Can describe feelings, experiences, and preferences.
Often describes restricted areas, events, or data.
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Personal and Private Definitions
Personal
Relating to or affecting a particular individual.
He has his personal reasons for resigning.
Private
Belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest.
This is my private property.
Personal
Of, affecting, or belonging to a specific person rather than anyone else.
She packed her personal belongings in a suitcase.
Private
Free from any possibility of being observed or disturbed by others.
He needed a private moment to collect his thoughts.
Personal
Concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions.
I don't want to discuss my personal life.
Private
Concerned with, authorized for, or participated in by an individual or specific group.
She attended a private school.
Personal
Tailored for or responsive to individual needs.
The app offers personal recommendations based on user behavior.
Private
Secluded from the sight, presence, or intrusion of others
A private hideaway.
Personal
Of or relating to a particular person; private
“Like their personal lives, women's history is fragmented, interrupted” (Elizabeth Janeway).
Private
Designed or intended for one's exclusive use
A private room.
Personal
Done, made, or performed in person
A personal appearance.
Private
Of or confined to the individual; personal
A private joke.
Private opinions.
Personal
Done to or for or directed toward a particular person
A personal favor.
Private
Undertaken on an individual basis
Private studies.
Private research.
Personal
Concerning a particular person and that person's private business, interests, or activities; intimate
I have something personal to tell you.
Private
Of, relating to, or receiving special hospital services and privileges
A private patient.
Personal
Aimed pointedly at the most intimate aspects of a person, especially in a critical or hostile manner
An uncalled-for, highly personal remark.
Private
Not available for public use, control, or participation
A private club.
A private party.
Personal
Tending to make remarks, or be unduly questioning, about another's affairs
As the student debate got heated, it got personal.
Private
Belonging to a particular person or persons, as opposed to the public or the government
Private property.
Personal
Of or relating to the body or physical being
Personal cleanliness.
Private
Of, relating to, or derived from nongovernment sources
Private funding.
Personal
Relating to or having the nature of a person or self-conscious being
Belief in a personal God.
Private
Conducted and supported primarily by individuals or groups not affiliated with governmental agencies or corporations
A private college.
A private sanatorium.
Personal
(Law) Of or relating to the person
Personal property as opposed to real property.
Personal jurisdiction as opposed to in rem jurisdiction.
Private
Enrolled in or attending a private school
A private student.
Personal
(Grammar) Indicating grammatical person.
Private
Capitalized in shares of stock that are held by a relatively small number of owners and are not traded on the open market
A private company.
A company that went private.
Took a company private.
Personal
A personal item or notice in a newspaper.
Private
Not holding an official or public position
A private citizen.
Personal
Personals A column in a newspaper or magazine featuring personal notices.
Private
Not for public knowledge or disclosure; secret
Private papers.
A private communication.
Personal
Pertaining to persons (human beings as opposed to things or animals).
Private
Not appropriate for use or display in public; intimate
Private behavior.
A private tragedy.
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
Private
Placing a high value on personal privacy
A private person.
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
Private
A noncommissioned rank in the US Army or Marine Corps that is below private first class.
Personal
(euphemistic) Intended for sexual use.
Personal lubricant; personal massager
Private
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; bodily.
Personal charms
Private
Privates Private parts. Often used with the.
Personal
Done in person; without an intermediary.
A personal interview
A personal meeting
Personal settings
Private
Belonging to, concerning, or accessible only to an individual person or a specific group.
Her address is private; you can't have it.
Private papers
Personal
Relating to an individual, their character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner
Personal reflections or remarks
Private
Not accessible by the public.
Private property
Personal
(grammar) Denoting a person or people.
A personal pronoun
Private
Not in governmental office or employment.
He quit public life, living quietly as a private citizen.
Personal
Denoting ownership.
One's personal vehicle, as opposed to a company vehicle
Private
Not publicly known; not open; secret.
The identity of the beneficiaries of the trust is private.
Personal
An advertisement by which an individual attempts to meet others with similar interests.
Private
Protected from view or disturbance by others; secluded.
Can we go somewhere more private?
Personal
One's own property or asset
Private
Not traded by the public.
Private corporation
Personal
Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
Private
Secretive; reserved.
He is a very private person.
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.
Private
Not shared with another patient.
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
Private
Accessible only to the class itself or instances of it, and not to other classes or even subclasses.
Personal
Done in person; without the intervention of another.
The immediate and personal speaking of God.
Private
A soldier of the lowest rank in the army.
Personal
Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
Private
A doctor working in privately rather than publicly funded health care.
Personal
Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.
Private
The genitals.
Personal
A movable; a chattel.
Private
(obsolete) A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
Personal
A short newspaper article about a particular person or group
Private
(obsolete) Personal interest; particular business.
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
Private
(obsolete) Privacy; retirement.
Personal
Particular to a given individual
Private
(obsolete) One not invested with a public office.
Personal
Of or arising from personality;
Personal magnetism
Private
A private lesson.
If you want to learn ballet, consider taking privates.
Personal
Intimately concerning a person's body or physical being;
Personal hygiene
Private
To make something hidden from the public (without deleting it permanently).
Personal
Indicating grammatical person;
Personal verb endings
Private
Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person, company, or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary.
Personal
Directly interacting with or dedicated to an individual.
He hired a personal tutor for his son.
Private
Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer.
Reason . . . then retiresInto her private cell when nature rests.
Private
Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life.
A private person may arrest a felon.
Private
Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding.
Private
Having secret or private knowledge; privy.
Private
A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
Private
Personal interest; particular business.
Nor must I be unmindful of my private.
Private
Privacy; retirement.
Private
One not invested with a public office.
What have kings, that privates have not too?
Private
A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a noncommissioned officer.
Private
The private parts; the genitals.
Private
An enlisted man of the lowest rank;
Our prisoner was just a private and knew nothing of value
Private
Confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy;
A private place
Private discussions
Private lessons
A private club
A private secretary
Private property
The former President is now a private citizen
Public figures struggle to maintain a private life
Private
Concerning things deeply private and personal;
Private correspondence
Private family matters
Private
Concerning one person exclusively;
We all have individual cars
Each room has a private bath
Private
Not expressed;
Secret (or private) thoughts
Private
Not open to the public or general populace.
The celebrity held a private party at his mansion.
Private
Keeping to oneself; not publicly known.
He has a private ambition to write a novel.
FAQs
Does personal always mean it's about an individual?
Generally, yes. Personal typically refers to something related to or affecting an individual.
Is a personal email address always private?
While personal email addresses pertain to individuals, they may not always be private if they're shared or known publicly.
Can something be both personal and private?
Yes, a personal diary can also be considered private if it's meant to be kept secret.
Can private be used to describe feelings?
Yes, one can have private fears or hopes, meaning feelings they haven't disclosed.
Can a company have private information?
Yes, companies can have private data or trade secrets that aren't disclosed to the public.
What's a personal computer?
A personal computer is a computer designed for use by one individual at a time.
Can opinions be personal but not private?
Yes, one can have a personal opinion that they openly share, making it not private.
Does a personal check mean it's from an individual?
Yes, a personal check is typically written from an individual's bank account.
What's meant by private equity?
Private equity refers to capital not listed on a public exchange, typically invested in companies.
Are all private schools exclusive?
Not necessarily. While many private schools have selective admissions, not all are exclusive.
Is personal data always private data?
Not always. Personal data relates to an individual, but if it's publicly accessible, it isn't private.
Is a private investigator always in secret?
While private investigators often work discreetly, they don't always operate in complete secrecy.
Can events be private?
Yes, events like weddings or meetings can be private, restricted to invited guests.
Are private messages encrypted?
Some platforms encrypt private messages, but it's not a guarantee for all services.
What's a personal preference?
Personal preference refers to an individual's specific likes or choices.
What is meant by a private citizen?
A private citizen refers to someone not holding a public or official position.
Can something be private in a public setting?
Yes, a private conversation can occur in a public place, implying it's meant only for specific individuals.
Can a personal touch be added to work?
Yes, a personal touch means adding an individual's unique style or touch to something.
Can businesses offer personal services?
Yes, businesses can offer services tailored to individual customer needs.
Is a personal identity the same as private identity?
No. Personal identity relates to individual characteristics, while private identity might refer to aspects one keeps secret.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
