personal space: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Informal; common in everyday, psychological, and sociological discourse.
Quick answer
What does “personal space” mean?
The physical area immediately surrounding an individual, which they regard as psychologically their own and into which intrusion may cause discomfort or offense.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The physical area immediately surrounding an individual, which they regard as psychologically their own and into which intrusion may cause discomfort or offense.
Metaphorically refers to psychological or emotional boundaries, privacy, or the need for autonomy and separation from others in social, digital, or professional contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and term are identical. British English may slightly more frequently use the synonym 'private space' in certain formal contexts.
Connotations
Both carry the same primary connotation of an individual's inviolable zone. In American English, it can be more strongly associated with legal or rights-based discourse (e.g., in workplace harassment training).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “personal space” in a Sentence
[Subject] respects/invades/violates [Possessive Pronoun] personal space.[Possessive Pronoun] personal space [Verb] important/is shrinking/is being invaded.Give [Indirect Object] some personal space.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “personal space” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- On the crowded Tube, your personal space is often compromised.
- It's considered rude to invade someone's personal space without warning.
American English
- He has a huge need for personal space and gets anxious in crowds.
- Standing that close is a violation of my personal space.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In open-plan offices, managing personal space is crucial for employee well-being.
Academic
The anthropological study examined cultural variations in the perception of personal space.
Everyday
He stood too close; he really doesn't understand personal space.
Technical
Proxemics is the study of how humans use and perceive personal space.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “personal space”
- Using 'person space' (incorrect).
- Using it for large, owned areas like a bedroom ('my room is my personal space' is acceptable, but 'personal space' typically refers to the portable, immediate zone).
- Confusing with 'privacy', which is a broader, often non-physical concept.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Personal space' is specifically the immediate physical area around a person. 'Privacy' is a broader concept that can include physical seclusion, but also informational and decisional privacy (e.g., data privacy, privacy of thought).
Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'Stop spamming my inbox, you're invading my digital personal space.' It extends the idea of an intrusive breach of one's defined boundaries.
Typically, it's used as a non-count noun (e.g., 'I need personal space'). However, it can be countable when referring to specific types or instances (e.g., 'Different cultures have different personal spaces'). The uncountable use is far more common.
Phrases like 'Would you mind giving me a bit more room?' or 'I'm a bit claustrophobic, could we step back slightly?' are polite. A direct 'You're in my personal space' can sound confrontational.
The physical area immediately surrounding an individual, which they regard as psychologically their own and into which intrusion may cause discomfort or offense.
Personal space is usually neutral to informal; common in everyday, psychological, and sociological discourse. in register.
Personal space: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɜː.sən.əl ˈspeɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɝː.sən.əl ˈspeɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get out of my face! (inf)”
- “Keep your distance.”
- “In my bubble.”
- “Back off a bit.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a literal, invisible SPACE around your PERSON that is PERSONAL. A bubble you carry with you.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SELF IS A CONTAINER WITH A PROTECTIVE BOUNDARY / PRIVACY IS SPACE.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best illustrates a violation of personal space?