personal computer
noun
Simple meaning
A small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
pursihnihlkuhmpyooterSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈpɝsɪnɪlkəmpˈjutɚ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
dated
A small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time
dated
A computer for use by one person at a time (using a microprocessor).
dated
A PC-compatible computer.
historical
The IBM Personal Computer.
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time
Used this way, personal computer is an older-sounding word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It stays understated rather than dramatic. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Mild
- How common
- Dated
- Connotation
- Old-fashioned
- Usage feel
- Dated in modern speech
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
- Historical writing
Usage note
This meaning still makes sense to most readers, but it sounds a generation behind current usage.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.