Reading Theme:
Personnel Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：staff (personnel)
personnel
/ˌpɜːrsəˈnel/
n.
The group of people who work for a company or organization.
staff
➕
/stæf/
n.
The group of people employed by an organization, considered collectively.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From French 'personnel', from Latin 'persona' (person) + '-el' (collective suffix).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'person' + 'nel' (like 'tunnel') — imagine a tunnel full of persons working together.
📖 Example
The new manager introduced herself to all the personnel in the marketing department during the morning meeting.
The new manager introduced herself to all the personnel in the marketing department during the morning meeting.
🔗 Collocations
personnel department – The division of a company that handles employee-related matters.
personnel file – A record containing information about an employee's employment history.
personnel training – Programs designed to improve the skills of employees.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
management (n.) – The group of people who oversee and direct an organization.
🌱 Derivatives
person (n.) – An individual human being.
personal (adj.) – Relating to a particular person; private.
personally (adv.) – In one's own opinion; done by a person themselves.
📖 Cultural Story
Borrowed from French in the 19th century, 'personnel' originally referred to the body of persons employed. It replaced 'staff' in military and corporate contexts.
Meaning 2：HR department (personnel)
personnel
/ˌpɜːrsəˈnel/
n.
The department in a company that deals with hiring, training, and employee matters.
HR department
➕
/ˌeɪtʃ ˈɑːr dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
n.
The department within an organization that handles hiring, training, benefits, and employee relations.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
If you have any questions about your benefits, you should contact Personnel directly.
If you have any questions about your benefits, you should contact Personnel directly.
🔗 Collocations
personnel manager – The person in charge of the personnel department.
personnel policy – The rules and guidelines related to employee management.
personnel records – Documents containing information about employees.
🔄 Synonyms
human resources (n.) – The department responsible for managing employee relations and hiring.
HR (n.) – Abbreviation for human resources, used in business contexts.
staffing office (n.) – A department that handles recruitment and placement of workers.
Wordbook
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