Difference Between
versus

Individual vs. Person: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Individual emphasizes uniqueness and separateness, while Person refers to a human being with social and legal status.
Individual vs. Person

Key Differences

The term "Individual" often highlights the distinct characteristics or choices of a person, emphasizing uniqueness and independence. In contrast, "Person" typically refers to a human being, with a focus on their role within a society or legal framework, emphasizing their communal and relational aspects.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Legally, "Person" can encompass both natural and juridical entities, recognizing rights and responsibilities. Conversely, "Individual" is used more in personal and psychological contexts, referring to someone's personal identity or individual traits, without implying legal status.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Philosophically, "Person" is used in discussions about human nature, ethics, and rights, often in a broader, more abstract sense. "Individual," however, is used to denote a single, separate entity, focusing on the distinction and autonomy of a person.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
In literature and art, "Person" can represent a character or a human figure generally, while "Individual" often connotes a deeper exploration of a character's unique traits, personal journey, or psychological depth.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
In daily usage, "Person" is a more general term, often interchangeable with 'human being,' whereas "Individual" can imply a degree of emphasis on personal characteristics or independence.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Definition

A single human being, distinct from others
A human being, often with legal recognition
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Emphasis

Uniqueness and autonomy
Social and legal identity
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Usage in Psychology

Focus on personal traits and identity
Used more broadly to refer to humans
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Legal Context

Less common, more personal focus
Includes natural and juridical entities
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Philosophical Discussions

Autonomy and personal identity
Human nature, rights, and ethics
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Individual and Person Definitions

Individual

A person characterized by particular personal traits.
She is an individual known for her creativity and innovation.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Person

An individual characterized by personality and social attributes.
She is a person known for her empathy and kindness.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Individual

Someone who shows a strong sense of self and independence.
He is an individual who always stands up for what he believes in.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Person

A character in a narrative or play.
The main person in the story undergoes significant transformation.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Individual

A person distinct from others in a specific context or group.
In the team, each individual brings their unique skills to the table.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Person

A human regarded in terms of their relationships or social role.
He is a person of great influence in his community.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Individual

A single human being, distinct from a group.
Every individual has their unique way of solving problems.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Person

A living human. Often used in combination
Chairperson.
Salesperson. See Usage Note at chairman.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Of or relating to an individual, especially a single human
Individual consciousness.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

An individual of specified character
A person of importance.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

By or for one person
Individual work.
An individual portion.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

The composite of characteristics that make up an individual personality; the self.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Existing as a distinct entity; separate
Individual drops of rain.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

The living body of a human
Searched the prisoner's person.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Marked by or expressing individuality; distinctive or individualistic
An individual way of dressing.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

Physique and general appearance.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Special; particular
Each variety of melon has its individual flavor and texture.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(Law) A human, corporation, organization, partnership, association, or other entity deemed or construed to be governed by a particular law.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Serving to identify or set apart
"There was nothing individual about him except a deep scar ... across his right cheek" (Rebecca West).
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(Christianity) Any of the three separate individualities of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as distinguished from the essence of the Godhead that unites them.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A single human considered apart from a society or community
The rights of the individual.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

Any of three groups of pronoun forms with corresponding verb inflections that distinguish the speaker (first person), the individual addressed (second person), and the individual or thing spoken of (third person).
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A human regarded as a distinctive or unique personality
Always treated her clients as individuals.
Felt he was quite an individual.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

Any of the different forms or inflections expressing these distinctions.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A single organism as distinguished from a species, community, or group.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A character or role, as in a play; a guise
"Well, in her person, I say I will not have you" (Shakespeare).
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A member of a collection or set; a specimen.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

An individual substance of a rational nature; usually a human being.
Each person is unique, both mentally and physically.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A person considered alone, rather than as belonging to a group of people.
He is an unusual individual.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A character or part, as in a play; a specific kind or manifestation of individual character, whether in real life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an assumed character.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

(legal) A single physical human being as a legal subject, as opposed to a legal person such as a corporation.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(Christianity) Any one of the three hypostases of the Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

An object, be it a thing or an agent, as contrasted to a class.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

Any sentient or socially intelligent being.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

(statistics) An element belonging to a population.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(in a compound noun or noun phrase) Someone who likes or has an affinity for (a specified thing).
Jack's always been a dog person, but I prefer cats.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Relating to a single person or thing as opposed to more than one.
As we can't print them all together, the individual pages will have to be printed one by one.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(in a compound noun or noun phrase) A human of unspecified gender (in terms usually constructed with man or woman).
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Intended for a single person as opposed to more than one person.
Individual personal pension; individual cream cakes
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(in a compound noun or noun phrase) A worker in a specified function or specialty.
I was able to speak to a technical support person and get the problem solved.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Not divisible without losing its identity.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

The physical body of a being seen as distinct from the mind, character, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Not divided, or not to be divided; existing as one entity, or distinct being or object; single; one; as, an individual man, animal, or city.
Mind has a being of its own, distinct from that of all other things, and is pure, unmingled, individual substance.
United as one individual soul.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(law) Any individual or formal organization with standing before the courts.
At common law a corporation or a trust is legally a person.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Of or pertaining to one only; peculiar to, or characteristic of, a single person or thing; distinctive; as, individual traits of character; individual exertions; individual peculiarities.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

The human genitalia; specifically, the penis.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A single person, animal, or thing of any kind; a thing or being incapable of separation or division, without losing its identity; especially, a human being; a person.
An object which is in the strict and primary sense one, and can not be logically divided, is called an individual.
That individuals die, his will ordains.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(grammar) A linguistic category used to distinguish between the speaker of an utterance and those to whom or about whom they are speaking. See grammatical person.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

An independent, or partially independent, zooid of a compound animal.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

(biology) A shoot or bud of a plant; a polyp or zooid of the compound Hydrozoa, Anthozoa, etc.; also, an individual, in the narrowest sense, among the higher animals.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A human being;
There was too much for one person to do
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

To represent as a person; to personify; to impersonate.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

A single organism
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

To man, to supply with staff or crew.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Being or characteristic of a single thing or person;
Individual drops of rain
Please mark the individual pages
They went their individual ways
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A character or part, as in a play; a specific kind or manifestation of individual character, whether in real life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an assumed character.
His first appearance upon the stage in his new person of a sycophant or juggler.
No man can long put on a person and act a part.
To bear rule, which was thy partAnd person, hadst thou known thyself aright.
How different is the same man from himself, as he sustains the person of a magistrate and that of a friend!
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Separate and distinct from others of the same kind;
Mark the individual pages
On a case-by-case basis
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

The bodily form of a human being; body; outward appearance; as, of comely person.
A fair persone, and strong, and young of age.
If it assume my noble father's person.
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Characteristic of or meant for a single person or thing;
An individual serving
Separate rooms
Single occupancy
A single bed
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A living, self-conscious being, as distinct from an animal or a thing; a moral agent; a human being; a man, woman, or child.
Consider what person stands for; which, I think, is a thinking, intelligent being, that has reason and reflection.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

Concerning one person exclusively;
We all have individual cars
Each room has a private bath
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A human being spoken of indefinitely; one; a man; as, any person present.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Individual

An entity regarded as a separate and independent member of a species.
The study focused on the behavior of the individual in social situations.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Person

A parson; the parish priest.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

Among Trinitarians, one of the three subdivisions of the Godhead (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost); an hypostasis.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

One of three relations or conditions (that of speaking, that of being spoken to, and that of being spoken of) pertaining to a noun or a pronoun, and thence also to the verb of which it may be the subject.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A shoot or bud of a plant; a polyp or zooid of the compound Hydrozoa Anthozoa, etc.; also, an individual, in the narrowest sense, among the higher animals.
True corms, composed of united personæ . . . usually arise by gemmation, . . . yet in sponges and corals occasionally by fusion of several originally distinct persons.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

To represent as a person; to personify; to impersonate.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A human being;
There was too much for one person to do
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A person's body (usually including their clothing);
A weapon was hidden on his person
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A grammatical category of pronouns and verb forms;
Stop talking about yourself in the third person
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Person

A human being regarded as an individual.
Every person in the room agreed with the decision.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Person

A being with legal rights and responsibilities.
In law, a corporation can be treated as a person.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is 'person' a more common term in everyday language?

Yes, 'person' is more generally used than 'individual'.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Can 'person' refer to a legal entity?

Yes, in legal terms, 'person' can include corporations and organizations.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Is 'individual' always used to refer to a human?

Mostly, but it can also refer to a distinct entity in other contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Can 'individual' have a negative connotation?

Sometimes, it can imply excessive focus on oneself.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Is 'person' used more in legal contexts?

Yes, particularly when referring to rights and responsibilities.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Does 'person' imply a social aspect?

Yes, it often includes social and relational dimensions.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Does 'individual' imply more uniqueness than 'person'?

Yes, 'individual' often emphasizes distinct characteristics.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Does 'individual' focus more on personal identity?

Yes, it often refers to personal traits and autonomy.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Can 'person' be used in scientific contexts?

Yes, but often more in social sciences.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Can 'individual' refer to animals?

Rarely, it's mostly used for humans.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Can 'person' be used in a collective sense?

Yes, like 'a group of persons'.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Is 'individual' used in psychological profiling?

Yes, it's often used in personal and psychological contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Is 'person' a more inclusive term?

Generally, yes, as it broadly refers to human beings.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Is 'person' used in philosophical discussions about human nature?

Yes, it's often used in ethical and philosophical contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Can both terms be used interchangeably?

Often, but not always, depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Can 'individual' be used in a corporate context?

Less commonly, it's more personal.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Does 'person' encompass both gender and age?

Yes, it refers to all humans regardless of these factors.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Does 'individual' have a more singular focus?

Yes, it emphasizes the singularity and independence of a person.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Is 'individual' a term used in legal documents?

Rarely, 'person' is more common in legal language.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Is 'individual' a more formal term?

Not necessarily, but it can be more specific.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023

Share this page

Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

Megabyte vs. GigabyteMegabyte vs. Gigabyte
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 8, 2024
A Megabyte (MB) is a unit of digital information storage equal to 1,024 kilobytes, while a Gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,024 megabytes.
Android TV vs. Tizen TVAndroid TV vs. Tizen TV
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 26, 2024
Android TV is a smart TV platform powered by Google's Android OS, offering extensive app compatibility, while Tizen TV is Samsung's smart TV OS, known for its smooth interface and integration with Samsung devices.
Pastor vs. ReverendPastor vs. Reverend
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 23, 2024
A pastor is a religious leader of a Christian congregation, while reverend is a title used to address or refer to Christian clergy.
Shriners vs. MasonsShriners vs. Masons
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 29, 2024
Shriners are a subgroup within Freemasonry known for charitable work, especially children's hospitals; Masons are members of the larger, older fraternity of Freemasonry with broader goals and activities.
Catholic Bible vs. NIV BibleCatholic Bible vs. NIV Bible
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 11, 2024
The Catholic Bible includes additional books in the Old Testament not found in the NIV Bible; the NIV is a modern English translation.
Paranormal vs. SupernaturalParanormal vs. Supernatural
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
December 26, 2024
Paranormal involves phenomena beyond scientific explanation, focusing on events like ghost sightings. Supernatural encompasses all beyond natural laws, including deities and magic.
Rescind vs. RevokeRescind vs. Revoke
Dua FatimaDua Fatima
July 10, 2024
Rescind involves officially cancelling a decision or agreement; revoke means to officially cancel the validity of something, often involving rights or licenses.
Broadsheet vs. TabloidBroadsheet vs. Tabloid
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
November 2, 2024
Broadsheet is a large-format newspaper focusing on serious content; Tabloid is a smaller, sensational news-focused paper.
Pycharm Community vs. Pycharm ProPycharm Community vs. Pycharm Pro
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 4, 2024
PyCharm Community is a free, open-source IDE for Python development, while PyCharm Pro is a paid version with additional advanced features like web development support and database tools.
Snow vs. Snow ShowersSnow vs. Snow Showers
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 4, 2024
Snow refers to frozen precipitation falling steadily, while snow showers are brief, intermittent bursts of snow.
Hanukkah vs. KwanzaaHanukkah vs. Kwanzaa
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 3, 2024
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple, while Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration of cultural heritage and values.
Hydroscopic vs. HygroscopicHydroscopic vs. Hygroscopic
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 14, 2024
Hydroscopic is a common misnomer, often incorrectly used in place of hygroscopic. Hygroscopic refers to substances that absorb moisture from the air.
Jungle vs. RainforestJungle vs. Rainforest
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
January 29, 2024
A jungle is a dense, wild forest, often impenetrable, while a rainforest is a dense forest rich in biodiversity, typically receiving high rainfall.
Pulley vs. SheavePulley vs. Sheave
Hifza NasirHifza Nasir
April 4, 2024
A pulley is a wheel on an axle designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable, while a sheave is the wheel part of a pulley system that specifically interacts with the cable.
Cocoon vs. ChrysalisCocoon vs. Chrysalis
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
March 3, 2024
A cocoon is a protective casing spun by moths and other insects, while a chrysalis is the hard shell formed by butterfly larvae during metamorphosis.
Hawaiian vs. SamoanHawaiian vs. Samoan
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
January 31, 2024
Hawaiian refers to things related to Hawaii, a U.S. state, while Samoan pertains to Samoa, an independent nation in the Pacific.
Pokemon Firered vs. Pokemon LeafgreenPokemon Firered vs. Pokemon Leafgreen
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 15, 2024
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are remakes of the original Pokemon games, with FireRed offering exclusive Pokemon like Growlithe and LeafGreen featuring Pokemon like Vulpix, plus minor story and area differences.
Acrobatics vs. GymnasticsAcrobatics vs. Gymnastics
Hifza NasirHifza Nasir
May 1, 2024
Acrobatics emphasizes agility and flexibility in individual feats, while gymnastics combines strength, flexibility, and apparatus use in a structured sport.
Million vs. BillionMillion vs. Billion
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 29, 2024
A million is 1,000,000, while a billion is 1,000,000,000; a billion is a thousand times larger than a million.
Seagate Exos x16 vs. Seagate Exos x18Seagate Exos x16 vs. Seagate Exos x18
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
February 8, 2024
The Seagate Exos X16 offers up to 16TB storage with a focus on high-capacity data centers, while the Exos X18 upgrades to 18TB, enhancing performance and capacity for enterprise demands.
Fl. Oz. vs. Oz.Fl. Oz. vs. Oz.
Hifza NasirHifza Nasir
March 3, 2024
Fl. oz. measures volume, used for liquids (e.g., water, milk), while oz. measures weight, for solids or overall mass (e.g., cheese, gold).
Stuck vs. StockStuck vs. Stock
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
June 18, 2024
"Stuck" refers to being unable to move or progress, while "stock" primarily denotes inventory or shares in a company, highlighting distinct usage contexts.
Otto Insurance vs. GEICOOtto Insurance vs. GEICO
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
December 28, 2024
Otto Insurance is a digital insurance platform, while GEICO is a well-established auto insurer known for direct-to-consumer sales.
Private in C++ vs. Protected in C++Private in C++ vs. Protected in C++
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed
December 25, 2024
In C++, private members are accessible only within the same class, whereas protected members are accessible in the class and its subclasses.

Featured Comparisons

New Comparisons