Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group only; not for public or shared use: "private" describes something that is personal, individual, or not owned or controlled by the state or public.
   • Kept secret or not intended to be known by others: "private" can describe information, thoughts, or matters that are confidential or personal.
   • Not connected with one's work or official position; personal: "private" refers to the part of a person's life that is separate from their public or professional role.
   • Secluded from the view or presence of others: "private" can describe a place that is quiet, isolated, or not open to the public.

2. Noun:

   • A soldier of the lowest rank in the army: "private" refers to an enlisted person with no command responsibilities.
   • (in plural form, privates) A euphemistic term for a person's genitals: This is an informal and somewhat old-fashioned usage.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • He has a private office where he can work without interruptions. (The office is for his exclusive use.)
  • Please respect her private life and do not ask personal questions. (This refers to her personal, non-public life.)
  • They held a private conversation in the garden. (The conversation was secret or confidential.)
  • This is a private beach for hotel guests only. (The beach is not open to the general public.)

• Noun:

  • He enlisted in the army and started as a private. (He holds the lowest military rank.)
  • The comedian made a joke about covering one's privates. (This is an informal reference to genitalia.)

Advanced Usage

• "In private": privately, without other people being present.

  • The manager asked to speak to me in private. (The manager wanted a confidential conversation.)

• "Private sector": the part of the national economy that is not under direct state control.

  • She has worked in both the public and private sectors. (She has worked for both government and non-government organizations.)

• "Private enterprise": business or industry managed by independent companies rather than the state.

  • The policy aims to encourage private enterprise. (The policy supports independently owned businesses.)

Variants and Related Words

• Privacy (n): the state of being free from public attention or observation.
  • Everyone needs a degree of privacy.
• Privately (adv): in a private manner; not publicly.
  • The matter was discussed privately.
• Privatize (v): to transfer ownership or control of a business, service, or industry from the government to a private entity.
  • The government decided to privatize the railway.

Synonyms

• Personal: belonging to or affecting a particular person.
• Confidential: intended to be kept secret.
• Exclusive: restricted or limited to a specific person, group, or area.
• Secluded: (of a place) not seen or visited by many people; sheltered and private.

Antonyms

• Public: of or concerning the people as a whole; open to or shared by all.
• Common: shared by, coming from, or done by more than one.
• Official: relating to an authority or public body and its activities and responsibilities.

Related Phrases

• Private eye: (informal) a private detective.
  • The wealthy family hired a private eye to investigate.
• Private parts: a euphemistic term for a person's external genital organs.
  • The doctor explained it was important to keep your private parts clean.
• Private member's bill: (in politics) a bill proposed by a member of a legislature who is not acting on behalf of the executive government.
  • The private member's bill aimed to change the animal welfare laws.

Adjective

1. not expressed
   • secret (or private) thoughts
2. concerning one person exclusively
   • we all have individual cars
   • each room has a private bath
3. concerning things deeply private and personal
   • private correspondence
   • private family matters
4. confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
   • a private place
   • private discussions
   • private lessons
   • a private club
   • a private secretary
   • private property
   • the former President is now a private citizen
   • public figures struggle to maintain a private life

Noun

1. an enlisted man of the lowest rank in the Army or Marines
   • our prisoner was just a private and knew nothing of value