What does it mean to know someone personally?

Answer 1

To know someone personally means you have met them in person from time to time and have more than a passing acquaintance with them.

So, you could say you 'know' Peter Smith, because you see him every week across the counter when you go to the hardware store, and by this you mean you've met him, but you could say you 'know Peter Smith personally' if you occasionally visit one another's home, have drinks or meals together, your families meet, and so on.

The phrase might be used if you are asked to witness a person's signature and a requirement of witnessing is that the signatory be personally known to you.

Or, you might be asked whether you know a person personally and, if so, what do you think of them. This could be asked by a prospective employer, checking to make sure a job applicant is who they say they are; if they know you personally they could give your name as a reference so that people can check up.

Sometimes you'll hear a person claim to know someone important 'personally'. This obviously can be true; everyone knows others personally, but there are those who say this simply to try to impress others; they're saying, I'm on personal terms with this important person, so that makes me important, too.

Stay away from people who talk like that: if they're fakes in one way they're probably fakes in other ways, too.