Asked by: Dr. Maxime Kerluke MD
Score: 4.5/5
(46 votes)
having no personality; devoid of human character or traits: an impersonal deity. … lacking human emotion or warmth: an impersonal manner.
What does impersonal mean?
1a : having no personal reference or connection impersonal criticism. b : not engaging the human personality or emotions the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency— John Dewey. c : not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics.
What is impersonal behavior?
If you describe someone’s behavior as impersonal, you mean that they do not show any emotion about the person they are dealing with. We must be as impersonal as a surgeon with his knife. Synonyms: detached, neutral, dispassionate, cold More Synonyms of impersonal. 3. adjective.
What is the base word of impersonal?
Impersonal comes from the Latin roots in- (or im-), «not,» and personalis, «of a person.»
What is impersonal and example?
The definition of impersonal is not being personal and is someone or something that doesn’t have a connection to any person or does not show emotions. … A cold room devoid of personality or human touch is an example of a room that would be described as impersonal.
32 related questions found
Is God personal or impersonal?
A 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center reported that, of U.S. adults, 70% view that «God is a person with whom people can have a relationship,» while 15% believe that «God is an impersonal force.» A 2019 survey by the National Opinion Research Center reports that 77.5% of U.S. adults believe in a personal god.
What does impersonal mean in grammar?
The term «impersonal» simply means that the verb does not change according to grammatical person. In terms of valency, impersonal verbs are often avalent, as they often lack semantic arguments. In the sentence It rains, the pronoun it is a dummy subject; it is merely a syntactic placeholder—it has no concrete referent.
Does impersonal mean not personal?
not personal; without reference or connection to a particular person: an impersonal remark. having no personality; devoid of human character or traits: an impersonal deity. lacking human emotion or warmth: an impersonal manner.
Which is correct in person or in person?
«In person» and «in-person» are both correct, as long as the first phrase is used as an adverb and the second phrase is used as an adjective. Remember that an adverb modifies a verb, adding enhancing information such as how or when.
What’s the difference between personal and impersonal?
Key Difference: A personal conversation is with someone who you know intimately and the conversation has a deeper context, while impersonal conversation is with someone who you’ve just met and the conversation is superficial.
Is it ornery or Onery?
As adjectives the difference between ornery and onery
is that ornery is (appalachian) cantankerous, stubborn, disagreeable while onery is (us|particularly|southern us).
What is an impersonal relationship?
Impersonal relationships occur when two individuals interact in a way that does not depend on their personal identity. … Social identity, the group, organization, tribe, city, etc. that an individual is identified with, is a key element of anonymous relationships.
What Unbias means?
1 : free from bias especially : free from all prejudice and favoritism : eminently fair an unbiased opinion. 2 : having an expected value equal to a population parameter being estimated an unbiased estimate of the population mean.
How do you use impersonal in a sentence?
Impersonal in a Sentence ?
- Breaking up with me over text was a very impersonal way to end our relationship.
- Considering I was an employee for 12 years, the letter I received letting me know I was fired was impersonal.
- My blind date was rather impersonal as he didn’t seem interested in getting to know me.
What is impersonal in academic writing?
Academic writing is impersonal
This involves avoiding the personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘we’. For example, instead of writing ‘I will show’, you might write ‘this report will show’. The second person, ‘you’, is also to be avoided. … Writing conventions vary, even between units in the same faculty.
What in person means?
in-person. adjective [ usually before noun ] COMMUNICATIONS. involving someone’s physical presence rather than communication by phone, email, etc.: an in-person interview/meeting/vist.
What does in person visits mean?
In-person visit means an on-site visit that may include barriers. … In-person visit and “In-person visitation” means a visit or visitation during which an incarcerated person has contact with a visitor, is able to see a visitor through glass, or is otherwise in an open room without contact with a visitor.
What is an in person service?
In-Person Services. … b, in-person services are services that are physically provided in person by the taxpayer, where the customer or the customer’s real or tangible property upon which the services are performed is in the same location as the service provider at the time the services are performed.
Can we meet in person meaning?
If you meet, hear, or see someone in person, you are in the same place as them, rather than, for example, speaking to them on the phone, writing to them, or seeing them online or on television. It was the first time she had seen him in person.
Is personable a quality?
Being personable is part of what makes you the star of the sales team — people just seem to like you. Someone who’s personable can be outgoing, charming, nice, bubbly, amiable, pleasing, or generous, but he doesn’t have to be all of those things — it just all needs to add up to being pleasant.
What is the difference between impersonal and interpersonal communication?
Impersonal communication is communication based on social roles; for example a conversation between a car salesman and a potential buyer. Interpersonal communication is the process in which people share feelings through verbal and non-verbal gestures.
What is impersonal style of writing?
Impersonal writing includes lengthy sentences with complex subordination and long verb phrases. Example: The handbrake was released by the driver, causing the car to run away. 13. Run-on Expression (etc., so on) • Run-on expressions are used in personal style.
What two main components make up a sentence?
The subject and predicate make up the two basic structural parts of any complete sentence. In addition, there are other elements, contained within the subject or predicate, that add meaning or detail. These elements include the direct object, indirect object, and subject complement.
What are impersonal verbs in English?
An impersonal verb is one that does not refer to a real person or thing and where the subject is represented by it, for example, It’s going to rain; It’s ten o’clock. Impersonal verbs are only used with il (meaning it) and in the infinitive.
What are impersonal verbs in Latin?
Many verbs, from their meaning, appear only in the 3rd person singular, the infinitive, and the gerund. These are called Impersonal Verbs, as they have no personal subject. The passive of many intransitive verbs is used in the same way.
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From French impersonnel, from Latin impersōnālis, from im- (“not”) + persōnālis (“personal”).
Pronunciation[edit]
- (General American) IPA(key): /ɪmˈpɝsənəl/
Adjective[edit]
impersonal (comparative more impersonal, superlative most impersonal)
- Not personal; not representing a person; not having personality.
- 1853, James Stephen, On Desultory and Systematic Reading: A Lecture
- The great tragedians of Greece reveal to us their people’s exquisite sense of beauty, and their faith in an awful, an almighty, but an impersonal power, called Fate
- 1853, James Stephen, On Desultory and Systematic Reading: A Lecture
- Lacking warmth or emotion; cold.
-
She sounded impersonal as she gave her report of the Nazi death camps.
-
1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:
-
And now it appeared that there was a mysterious Queen clothed by rumour with dread and wonderful attributes, and commonly known by the impersonal, but, to my mind, rather awesome title of She.
-
-
- (grammar, of a verb or other word) Not having a subject, or having a third person pronoun without an antecedent.
- Synonyms: monopersonal, unipersonal
-
The verb “rain” is impersonal in sentences like “It’s raining.”
Derived terms[edit]
- impersonal passive
- impersonal subject
- impersonal verb
[edit]
- personal
Translations[edit]
not representing a person
- Catalan: impersonal (ca)
- Czech: neosobní
- Dutch: onpersoonlijk (nl)
- Finnish: persoonaton
- Galician: impersoal
- German: unpersönlich (de)
- Greek: απρόσωπος (el) (aprósopos)
- Hungarian: személytelen (hu)
- Ido: nepersonala (io)
- Kashubian: bezòsobòwi
- Polish: bezosobowy (pl)
- Russian: безли́чный (ru) (bezlíčnyj), обезли́ченный (ru) (obezlíčennyj)
- Spanish: impersonal (es)
lacking warmth or emotion
- Belarusian: бязлі́кі (bjazlíki)
- Catalan: impersonal (ca)
- Czech: neosobní
- Dutch: onpersoonlijk (nl)
- Finnish: persoonaton
- Galician: impersoal
- German: unpersönlich (de)
- Greek: απρόσωπος (el) (aprósopos)
- Hungarian: személytelen (hu), közömbös (hu), érzéketlen (hu), rideg (hu)
- Polish: bezduszny (pl), bezosobowy (pl)
- Portuguese: impessoal (pt)
- Russian: отчуждённый (ru) (otčuždjónnyj), безли́кий (ru) (bezlíkij)
- Spanish: impersonal (es)
- Ukrainian: безли́кий (uk) (bezlýkyj)
grammar
- Belarusian: безасабо́вы (bjezasabóvy)
- Breton: dic’hour (br)
- Bulgarian: безли́чен (bg) (bezlíčen)
- Catalan: impersonal (ca)
- Chinese:
- Mandarin: 無人稱／无人称 (zh) (wúrénchēng)
- Estonian: umbisikuline
- Finnish: persoonaton
- French: impersonnel (fr)
- Galician: impersoal
- German: unpersönlich (de)
- Greek: απρόσωπος (el) (aprósopos)
- Hungarian: személytelen (hu)
- Kumyk: бетсиз (betsiz)
- Latin: impersonalis
- Polish: bezosobowy (pl)
- Russian: безли́чный (ru) (bezlíčnyj)
- Spanish: impersonal (es)
- Ukrainian: безособо́вий (uk) (bezosobóvyj)
Noun[edit]
impersonal (plural impersonals)
- (grammar) An impersonal word or construct.
Anagrams[edit]
- mailperson, prolamines
Catalan[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin impersōnālis.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (Balearic) IPA(key): /im.pəɾ.soˈnal/
- (Central) IPA(key): /im.pər.suˈnal/
- (Valencian) IPA(key): /im.peɾ.soˈnal/
- Rhymes: -al
Adjective[edit]
impersonal (masculine and feminine plural impersonals)
- impersonal (not representing a person)
- Antonym: personal
- (grammar) impersonal (not having a subject)
Derived terms[edit]
- impersonalitat
- impersonalitzar
- impersonalment
Further reading[edit]
- “impersonal” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
- “impersonal”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2023
- “impersonal” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua.
- “impersonal” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.
Old French[edit]
Adjective[edit]
impersonal m (oblique and nominative feminine singular impersonale)
- (grammar) impersonal
Romanian[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From French impersonnel, from Latin impersonalis. Equivalent to in- + personal.
Adjective[edit]
impersonal m or n (feminine singular impersonală, masculine plural impersonali, feminine and neuter plural impersonale)
- impersonal
Declension[edit]
Spanish[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Latin impersōnālis.
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): /impeɾsoˈnal/ [ĩm.peɾ.soˈnal]
- Rhymes: -al
- Syllabification: im‧per‧so‧nal
Adjective[edit]
impersonal (plural impersonales)
- impersonal (not representing a person)
- Antonym: personal
- (grammar) impersonal (not having a subject)
Derived terms[edit]
- impersonalidad
- impersonalizar
- impersonalmente
Further reading[edit]
- “impersonal”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014
1
a
: having no personal reference or connection
b
: not engaging the human personality or emotions
the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency—
John Dewey
c
: not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics
2
a
: denoting the verbal action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no expressed subject (such as methinks) or with a merely formal subject (such as rained in it rained)
Example Sentences
We discussed the weather and other impersonal topics.
He maintained an impersonal, professional attitude.
“Rained” in “it rained” is an impersonal verb.
Recent Examples on the Web
Portraits of expatriate women, of different ages, from various parts of the world (Israel, Poland, Czech Republic, USA, Australia, Brazil, Russia, Philippines, United Kingdom) are captured and photographed in impersonal urban spaces to emphasize the fluidity of the connection with the place.
—Condé Nast, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2023
Software audit tools are good to use but very impersonal.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2021
In that case, yes, a gift card is a bit impersonal.
—Maren Estrada, BGR, 6 Oct. 2022
Fittingly named the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement (MAACM), the venue celebrates a creative philosophy that embraced fine artisanship and rejected the impersonal nature of industrialization.
—Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Sep. 2021
That the story happens to be his own gives it, of course, a rich personal dimension, though as this movie reminds us, Spielberg has never been an impersonal filmmaker: He’s been piping his dreams, memories and desires onto the screen for decades.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2023
Laura flees her perfect ranch house and the suffocating tenderness of her husband and son for the impersonal solitude of a hotel room.
—Vulture, 23 Nov. 2022
The dining room itself, though, can feel a little impersonal.
—Pete Wells, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2023
That’s what makes the impersonal aspect of the record disappointing.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘impersonal.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Late Latin impersonalis, from Latin in- + Late Latin personalis personal
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Time Traveler
The first known use of impersonal was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near impersonal
Cite this Entry
“Impersonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impersonal. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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Last Updated:
10 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
безличный, обезличенный, безликий, объективный, беспристрастный, бескорыстный
прилагательное ↓
- беспристрастный, объективный
an impersonal point of view — объективная точка зрения 
impersonal interest in literature — бескорыстный интерес к литературе
- обезличенный
impersonal criticism — обезличенная критика
- бесстрастный, равнодушный, безразличный
- безликий, безличный
slaves were regarded as impersonal men — рабов не считали за людей
- грам. безличный
impersonal constructions — безличные обороты
существительное
- грам. безличный глагол
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
impersonal deity — безликое божество
impersonal verb — безличный глагол
impersonal account — счет, не принадлежащий конкретному лицу
impersonal passive — безличный пассив
impersonal point of view — объективная точка зрения
impersonal research — обезличенное исследование
impersonal service — отсутствие персонального обслуживания клиентов банка
impersonal unconscious — коллективное бессознательное
personal and impersonal accounts — личные счета и счета, не принадлежащие конкретным лицам
verb impersonal — глагол в неличной форме; неличная форма глагола
Примеры с переводом
She has a very cold and impersonal manner.
Она очень холодно и официально держится.
I hate staying in hotels; they’re so impersonal.
Терпеть не могу жить в гостиницах: они все такие безликие.
Hospitals always seem such impersonal places.
Больницы всегда кажутся такими казёнными.
We discussed the weather and other impersonal topics.
Мы обсудили погоду и другие безличные темы.
Sometimes she seems a very impersonal, even unkind, mother.
Иногда она кажется очень равнодушной и даже злой матерью.
He maintained an impersonal, professional attitude.
Его позиция отличалась беспристрастностью и профессионализмом.
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
Business letters do not have to be impersonal and formal. 
“Rained” in “it rained” is an impersonal verb.
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.
Возможные однокоренные слова
What is impersonal mean?
1a : having no personal reference or connection impersonal criticism. b : not engaging the human personality or emotions the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency— John Dewey. c : not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics.
What is another word for impersonal?
What is another word for impersonal?
| aloof | cold |
|---|---|
| indifferent | reserved |
| unemotional | withdrawn |
| frigid | passionless |
| unconcerned | unfeeling |
What is the root word of deliberately?
The adverb deliberately originates from the Latin word deliberatus, meaning “resolved upon, determined.” Used to describe an action made intentionally, it can also mean doing something in a careful, thoughtful manner.
What is the full meaning of deliberately?
English Language Learners Definition of deliberately : in a way that is meant, intended, or planned. : slowly and carefully : in a way that is not hurried. See the full definition for deliberately in the English Language Learners Dictionary.
What is Undeliberately?
: not intended : not calculated.
What does Advertently mean?
: giving attention : heedful. Other Words from advertent Did you know?
Is Indeliberate a word?
adjective. done without care; special planning or deliberation; unintentional.
What’s another word for deliberate?
SYNONYMS FOR deliberate 1 conscious, purposive; willful. 2 methodical, thoughtful, circumspect, cautious. 4 ponder. 5 cogitate, ruminate.
What does Despite mean?
1 : the feeling or attitude of despising someone or something : contempt. 2 : malice, spite. 3a : an act showing contempt or defiance. b : detriment, disadvantage I know of no government which stands to its obligations, even in its own despite, more solidly …— Sir Winston Churchill.
What is the opposite word of deliberately?
“The environment is gradually being ruined by sloppy and haphazard planning.”…What is the opposite of deliberately?
| inadvertently | unconsciously |
|---|---|
| unintentionally | unknowingly |
| unwittingly | accidentally |
| by mistake | fortuitously |
| coincidentally | mistakenly |
Is deliberate positive or negative?
Yes, deliberately is a synonym that means intentionally, but it more often has a negative connotation than intentionally does (especially among high school students, at least that was true when I was in high school), although both words are used both positively and negatively, e.g., That was {a deliberate / an …
How do you use the word deliberate?
Deliberate sentence example. Sure she was thin, but it wasn’t a deliberate condition. His movements were deliberate as he walked toward her – as if he were measuring every word he was about to say. The deliberate movements alone took a minute.
What is the difference between purposely and intentionally?
As adverbs the difference between intentionally and purposely. is that intentionally is in an intentional manner, on purpose while purposely is on purpose; intentionally.
What is a sentence for deliberate?
: to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully The jury deliberated for several days before reaching a verdict. transitive verb. : to think about deliberately and often with formal discussion before reaching a decision deliberate the question was deliberating whether or not to accept the offer.
Do you deliberate on something?
To deliberate means to carefully think or talk something through — it also means slow and measured, the pace of this kind of careful decision making. If you chose deliberately, you make a very conscious, well-thought-through choice.
What is the difference between practice and deliberate practice?
Let’s define deliberate practice. Deliberate practice refers to a special type of practice that is purposeful and systematic. While regular practice might include mindless repetitions, deliberate practice requires focused attention and is conducted with the specific goal of improving performance.
What does improbable mean?
: unlikely to be true or to occur also : unlikely but real or true.
Can people be improbable?
The adjective improbable also means statistically unlikely to happen. You might be afraid to fly, but the odds of a plane crash are so low that such an event is improbable. Improbable also means something that is so outrageous that you’d never admit you believed in it.
What is a word for without shame?
lacking any sense of shame: immodest; audacious. insensible to disgrace. showing no shame.
What type of word is improbable?
adjective. not probable; unlikely to be true or to happen: Rain is improbable tonight.
What’s a paradox in English?
1 : a tenet contrary to received opinion. 2a : a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true.
What is the other word for difficult?
SYNONYMS FOR difficult 1 arduous. 2 intricate, perplexing, involved, knotty. 4 particular, finical, fussy. 5 obdurate, uncompromising.
What is a synonym for most difficult?
other words for more difficult arduous. crucial. demanding. onerous. problematic.
What was the year 2020 called?
The 2020s (pronounced “twenty-twenties”, shortened to “the ’20s”) is the current decade of the Gregorian calendar that began on 1 January 2020, and will end on 31 December 2029.
What is the newest Word 2020?
5 new words you shouldn’t miss in 2020
- Climate Emergency. Let’s begin our list with The Oxford Dictionary Word of The Year – climate emergency.
- Permaculture. Permaculture is an old word that’s recently become more popular.
- Freegan. A freegan is also a portmanteau that combines the words free and vegan.
- Hothouse.
- Hellacious.
What is the least popular word?
Fewer than 3% of participants marked they knew the 20 English words below.
- genipap.
- futhorc.
- witenagemot.
- gossypol.
- chaulmoogra.
- brummagem.
- alsike.
- chersonese.