personable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is friendly, approachable, and easy to get along with. Example: "Her personable nature made her a favorite among her colleagues and clients alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tarantino takes a risk by casting a popular and personable actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, as a plantation owner, then neutralises any possible sympathy by giving him brown teeth.

The Guardian - Film

A gracefully mounted but safe-playing account of Dylan Thomas's 1950 tour of American academia, it nurtures personable performances from Celyn Jones (as Dylan) and Elijah Wood (as his stuffy Ivy League minder) without accumulating much friction between them.

The Guardian - Film

As columnist, comment editor and news editor, he was "popular, personable, unflappable".

The Guardian

But I do remember a very personable, intelligent, inquiring young man.

The Guardian

The smart, personable Green MP simply says her bit, announces there are now 361,736 signatories calling on MPs to reject fracking under homes, then takes the petition into the Commons.

The Guardian

He commended his English golfing descendants for being personable and creative.

The New York Times - Sports

He was seen as an expert mentor to younger players with a a personable character and a selfless work ethic.

The Guardian - Sport

He has never done anything bad, has a talent for music and is personable and kind to his grandmas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"He was very personable, very likable.

The Guardian

Ms Thorning-Schmidt, who is a daughter-in-law of a one-time British Labour Party leader, Neil Kinnock, is young and personable, but inexperienced.

The Economist

The hope was that squeezing its drug income would force the FARC to negotiate seriously.Mr Pastrana, a personable former television director who speaks flawless English, did a good job selling this plan abroad.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personable" when you want to emphasize someone's positive and friendly demeanor, especially in professional or social contexts. It suggests that they are not only likeable but also capable of building rapport.

Common error

While "personable" is a positive attribute, avoid overusing it in formal documents like resumes or performance reviews. Instead, provide specific examples of how the person demonstrates friendliness and builds relationships.

Linguistic Context

The word "personable" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe a noun, typically a person, indicating that they have a pleasing appearance or manner and are friendly and easy to get along with. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a term used to describe a positive attribute of an individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "personable" is an adjective commonly used to describe someone who is friendly, approachable, and has a pleasing demeanor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. With a high frequency of occurrence in news and media, encyclopedias, and business contexts, it is often employed to convey a positive assessment of an individual's character. While generally appropriate, overusing "personable" in formal documentation is discouraged; instead, specific examples of the person's friendly behavior should be provided. Alternatives like "amiable" or "friendly" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amiable

Focuses on having a friendly and pleasant manner.

affable

Emphasizes being easy to approach and talk to.

friendly

A general term for being kind and approachable.

pleasant

Highlights the enjoyable and agreeable nature of someone's personality.

agreeable

Suggests a willingness to cooperate and get along with others.

likable

Indicates that someone is easy to like and enjoy being around.

charming

Highlights an attractive and delightful personality.

gracious

Implies kindness and courtesy in behavior and manner.

cordial

Stresses politeness and warmth in social interactions.

sociable

Emphasizes a preference for interacting with others.

FAQs

How can I use "personable" in a sentence?

You can use "personable" to describe someone who is friendly and easy to get along with. For example, "She is a very "personable" employee and a great asset to the team."

What are some synonyms for "personable"?

Alternatives to "personable" include "amiable", "affable", and "friendly". Choose the synonym that best fits the specific context.

Is it appropriate to describe myself as "personable" in a job application?

While you can mention that you are "personable", it's more effective to provide examples of how you demonstrate this quality, such as "I build strong relationships with clients" or "I am known for my ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds".

What is the difference between "personable" and "sociable"?

"Personable" refers to someone's pleasant and friendly demeanor, while "sociable" emphasizes a preference for interacting with others. Someone can be "sociable" without necessarily being "personable", and vice versa.