personal space

Meanings

nounpersonal space (countable and uncountable, plural personal spaces)

countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe physical space closely surrounding a person, which can lead to discomfort, anger or anxiety if it is encroached.
It is customary, moreover, for those sharing a cabin to while away train journeys chatting on the two bottom bunks, which is likely to jar with many Westerners' narrower conceptions of personal space and ownership (especially if they have paid top dollar for the prized bottom bunk).
2010 February 4, The Economist
countableuncountableAn area which can be regarded as belonging to a person privately, in which to place belongings, etc.
Like long-term couple Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton, who famously live in separate houses, I believe that personal space is the key to a healthy relationship.
2008 May 1, Kia Abdullah, The Guardian

Chinese Mandarin 私人空間 /私人空间, 私人空間 /私人空间

Finnish henkilökohtainen tila, henkilökohtainen alue

French espace vital

Japanese パーソナルスペース

Polish przestrzeń osobista, przestrzeń osobista

Portuguese espaço pessoal

Russian личное простра́нство, диста́нция

личное простра́нство (ličnoje prostránstvo)physical space closely surrounding a person
диста́нция (distáncija)physical space closely surrounding a person
личное простра́нство (ličnoje prostránstvo)area regarded as belonging to a person
дом (dom)area regarded as belonging to a person
жили́ще (žilíšče)area regarded as belonging to a person
оча́г (očág)area regarded as belonging to a person

Cite this entry

APA

personal space. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/personal%20space

MLA

“personal space.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/personal%20space. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “personal space,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/personal%20space.