Personal vs. Personnel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
Personal refers to anything related to an individual, such as one's own feelings or possessions. Personnel refers to the employees or staff of an organization.
Difference Between Personal and Personnel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Personal pertains to an individual, encompassing everything from one's private life to individual belongings. Personnel, on the other hand, relates to the people employed in an organization or involved in a group activity.
In the case of Personal, you're discussing something that belongs to an individual or is characteristic of them. In the case of Personnel, you're talking about the staff that make up an organization or unit.
When using Personal, the focus is on the singular, individual aspect. When using Personnel, the focus is typically plural, referring to a group of people working together.
In grammatical terms, Personal can be an adjective or a noun (as in personal ads or personal pronoun), while Personnel is a noun that is always used in a collective sense to refer to people.
Personal is often used to discuss confidential or private matters, as in "personal information" or "personal reasons." Personnel is commonly used in corporate or military settings to discuss employees or staff, as in "personnel files" or "personnel decisions."
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Pertaining to an individual
Pertaining to employees
Focus
Singular
Plural
Grammatical Use
Adjective and noun
Noun
Common Contexts
Private life, possessions
Corporate, military settings
Confidentiality
Often confidential
Generally official records
Compare with Definitions
Personal
Intimate or confidential in nature.
I'd rather not discuss personal finances.
Personnel
A department managing employees.
The personnel department handles hiring.
Personal
Belonging to or affecting a particular person rather than anyone else
Her personal fortune was recently estimated at £37 million
Personnel
Employees of a business or organization.
The personnel are required to attend training.
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
Personnel
Collective term for people employed.
Personnel decisions are made by management.
Personal
Relating to a person's body
Personal hygiene
Personnel
People involved in a specific activity.
The flight personnel prepared for landing.
Personal
Of or denoting one of the three persons.
Personnel
People serving in a military unit.
The military personnel were sent overseas.
Personal
Existing as a self-aware entity, not as an abstraction or an impersonal force
He rejected the notion of a personal God
Personnel
People employed in an organization or engaged in an organized undertaking such as military service
Many of the personnel involved require training
Sales personnel
Personal
An advertisement or message in the personal column of a newspaper.
Personnel
(used with pl. verb) The people employed by or active in an organization, business, or service.
Personal
Of or relating to a particular person; private
“Like their personal lives, women's history is fragmented, interrupted” (Elizabeth Janeway).
Personnel
The department of human resources in an organization.
Personal
Done, made, or performed in person
A personal appearance.
Personnel
Collection of people in an organization, such as employees and office staff, members of the military, etc.
Personal
Done to or for or directed toward a particular person
A personal favor.
Personnel
(uncountable) A human resources department.
I've just had a letter from personnel.
Personal
Concerning a particular person and that person's private business, interests, or activities; intimate
I have something personal to tell you.
Personnel
The body of persons employed in some public service, as the army, navy, etc.; - distinguished from matériel.
Personal
Aimed pointedly at the most intimate aspects of a person, especially in a critical or hostile manner
An uncalled-for, highly personal remark.
Personnel
Group of people willing to obey orders;
A public force is necessary to give security to the rights of citizens
Personal
Tending to make remarks, or be unduly questioning, about another's affairs
As the student debate got heated, it got personal.
Personnel
The department responsible for hiring and training and placing employees and for seting policies for personnel management
Personal
Of or relating to the body or physical being
Personal cleanliness.
Personal
Relating to or having the nature of a person or self-conscious being
Belief in a personal God.
Personal
(Law) Of or relating to the person
Personal property as opposed to real property.
Personal jurisdiction as opposed to in rem jurisdiction.
Personal
(Grammar) Indicating grammatical person.
Personal
A personal item or notice in a newspaper.
Personal
Personals A column in a newspaper or magazine featuring personal notices.
Personal
Pertaining to persons (human beings as opposed to things or animals).
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
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
Personal
(euphemistic) Intended for sexual use.
Personal lubricant; personal massager
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; bodily.
Personal charms
Personal
Done in person; without an intermediary.
A personal interview
A personal meeting
Personal settings
Personal
Relating to an individual, their character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner
Personal reflections or remarks
Personal
(grammar) Denoting a person or people.
A personal pronoun
Personal
Denoting ownership.
One's personal vehicle, as opposed to a company vehicle
Personal
An advertisement by which an individual attempts to meet others with similar interests.
Personal
One's own property or asset
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
Pertaining to an individual's private life.
This is a personal matter, not a public one.
Personal
Related to one's own body or self.
That's my personal opinion.
Personal
Owned by an individual.
This is my personal laptop.
Personal
Unique to an individual's character.
That's just my personal preference.
Common Curiosities
What does Personnel mean?
Personnel refers to the staff or employees of an organization.
Is Personal singular or plural?
Personal usually focuses on the singular, the individual.
What does Personal mean?
Personal refers to anything related to an individual, such as private life or possessions.
Can Personal be used as a noun?
Yes, as in "personal ad" or "personal pronoun."
Can you give an example using Personal?
"My personal opinion differs from yours."
Is Personnel used in corporate settings?
Yes, personnel is often used in corporate and military contexts.
Is Personnel a noun or adjective?
Personnel is a noun.
Is Personnel related to employment?
Yes, it often pertains to employment or staff.
Is Personnel singular or plural?
Personnel is generally used in a plural sense.
Is it correct to say, "Please do not disclose personal information"?
Yes, that is correct and commonly used.
Is Personal often confidential?
Yes, it often pertains to confidential or private matters.
Can you give an example using Personnel?
"The personnel in the department are highly skilled."
Is Personal an adjective?
It can be an adjective or a noun.
Is Personnel always plural?
It is generally used in a plural sense, referring to a group.
Is Personal more private than Personnel?
Generally, yes. Personal usually pertains to private matters.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
