Personal vs Personable Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on personal vs personable. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
Flip Cards: Quick Review
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Private; relating to one individual.
“That’s a personal question.”
Friendly, pleasant and easy to like.
“Our new manager is very personable.”
The people who work for an organization.
“All personnel must sign in.”
The mix of traits that makes someone who they are.
“She has a bubbly personality.”
Personal vs personable is a classic mix-up because the two words look almost identical and both describe people or their lives. One extra syllable changes the meaning completely. This guide explains each word, shows them side by side and gives you simple tricks to get it right every time.
Personal vs Personable at a Glance
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | Private; belonging to or affecting one individual | Adjective | “I’d rather keep my personal life private.” |
| Personable | Pleasant, friendly and easy to get along with | Adjective | “The personable receptionist made everyone feel welcome.” |
| Personnel | The employees of a company or organization | Noun | “Only authorized personnel may enter.” |
What does personal mean?
Personal means relating to a particular individual rather than to the public, a group or an organization. It is the word you use for things that are private, individual or one-of-a-kind to someone.
You will see it in phrases like personal belongings, personal space, personal opinion, personal trainer and personal information. It can also mean “done in person,” as in “The author made a personal appearance.”
When a conversation turns personal, it moves into someone’s private life. Likewise, a personal question asks about something sensitive, such as age, health or money. The same sense appears in the phrase “don’t take it personally,” which means don’t treat a comment as an attack on you as an individual.
What does personable mean?
Personable means pleasant, friendly and easy to talk to. It describes someone whose manner makes other people feel comfortable and likes them quickly.
It is common in job references and workplace feedback: a personable candidate, a personable salesperson, a personable teacher. It points to warmth and approachability, which is more than simply being polite.
Because it describes a person’s charm, personable is used almost only for people (and sometimes their manner or style). You would not call a question, a document or a phone number “personable.”
Is personable a real word?
Yes, personable is a standard English adjective found in major dictionaries. Many people suspect it is a typo for personal, but it is a separate word with its own meaning.
It is pronounced with an extra syllable (roughly PUR-suh-nuh-bul), while personal is PUR-suh-nul. Hearing that extra beat in speech is a quick clue to which word you need.
Personal vs Personable: Which One Should You Use?
Ask one question: am I describing something that belongs to an individual, or someone who is pleasant to deal with? If it is about ownership or privacy, use personal. If it is about charm and friendliness, use personable.
- “Please don’t share my personal details.” (private information)
- “She is so personable that clients ask for her by name.” (friendly manner)
- “He added a personal note to the card.” (written by him, individual)
- “He is a personable guy who remembers everyone’s name.” (warm and likable)
A single sentence can even use both: “She keeps her personal life private, but she is very personable at work.”
What about personnel?
Personnel is a third look-alike, but it is a noun meaning the staff or employees of an organization, as in “the personnel department.” It is not an adjective, so it never describes a question, a manner or a person’s charm. It is stressed on the last syllable (per-suh-NEL), which helps you tell it apart in speech.
What are the most common mistakes?
- ✗ He’s a very personal guy, so everyone loves working with him.
✓ He’s a very personable guy, so everyone loves working with him. - ✗ That question is a bit too personable for a first meeting.
✓ That question is a bit too personal for a first meeting. - ✗ Please send your personable details to HR.
✓ Please send your personal details to HR. - ✗ The new hire is friendly and personal with every client.
✓ The new hire is friendly and personable with every client. - ✗ Contact the personal department about your payroll.
✓ Contact the personnel department about your payroll.
How can you remember which one to use?
Three simple tricks keep the two words straight.
- Look for “able.” Personable ends in “able,” so think of someone who is able to win people over.
- Think “one person.” Personal is about one individual’s own life, belongings or feelings.
- Count the syllables. The longer word, personable, is the one with the extra warmth and the extra beat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between personal and personable?
Personal means private or relating to one individual. Personable means friendly, pleasant and easy to like.
Is personable a real word?
Yes. Personable is a standard English adjective that means pleasant and likable, and it appears in major dictionaries.
What is the difference between personal and personnel?
Personal is an adjective meaning private or individual. Personnel is a noun meaning the employees of an organization.
Can personal mean friendly?
Not by itself. A personal touch means individual attention, but to describe a warm and approachable person, use personable.
What is the opposite of personable?
Words like aloof, cold, distant and standoffish describe the opposite of personable.
Final thoughts on personal vs personable
To sum up personal vs personable: personal is about what is private or individual, and personable is about being warm and easy to like. Keep the “able” trick in mind and you will pick the right word every time. Share this with someone who mixes these up!