Words / A2

purs-uh-NAL-uh-tee/ˌpɜːsəˈnæləti/

Personality is the kind of character you have: a friendly personality, a strong personality, personality clash. Character is a close cousin (also a person in a story). Mood is how you feel now, not your usual type. Personal is the adjective (personal letter). Do not write personality when you mean personal, or personnel (staff).

Meaning

The type of character a person has; the way they usually behave.

Examples

• “The job needs someone with a calm personality.”
• “The form asks you to describe your personality in five words.”
• “He has a quiet personality but he is a good leader.”

Good to know

a friendly / strong personality. Cousin: character. Mix-ups: personal, personnel.

Near in meaning

character

New