nonpersonal
|non-per-son-al|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˈpɝsənəl/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˈpɜːsənəl/
not relating to a person / not personal
Etymology
'nonpersonal' originates from English, specifically formed from the negative prefix 'non-' and the adjective 'personal', where 'non-' meant 'not' (from Latin 'non') and 'personal' came from Latin 'personalis' (from 'persona') meaning 'relating to a person'.
'personal' derives from Latin 'personalis' (from 'persona' meaning 'mask' or 'person'), passed through Old French and Middle English into modern English as 'personal'. The prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non') became a productive negative prefix in Modern English; combining them produced the compound adjective 'nonpersonal'.
Initially the components meant 'not' + 'relating to a person'; the combined word has retained this basic meaning, though its use has broadened to formal and technical contexts (for example, 'nonpersonal data').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not personal; lacking personal feeling, emotion, or connection.
His remarks were nonpersonal and addressed the issue rather than the person.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
not directed at or intended for a particular person; general rather than specific.
The announcement was nonpersonal and sent to the entire staff.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 3
(Legal/technical) Not relating to an identified or identifiable individual; not personal data.
The company only collects nonpersonal information such as browser type and device model.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/04 02:26