Private — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Private
Private (adjective)
- intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class
- belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest
- carried on by the individual independently of the usual institutions; also, being educated by independent study or a tutor or in a private school
Private (noun)
- an enlisted person of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two lowest ranks in the army
- a person of low rank in any of various organizations (such as a police or fire department)
- private parts
Private (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
not known or meant to be known by the general populace
"that he is planning to retire is private information until he makes a public announcement"
-
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
"a private investigation of the organization's activities"
-
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person
"club lockers in which private property may be stored"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Private
The most common words with a similar meaning to Private:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Private
Words with the opposite meaning of Private:
Near Antonyms of Private
Word Forms of Private
Derived words: privately (adverb), privateness (noun)
Origin & Etymology of Private
Middle English privat, from Anglo-French, from Latin privatus, from past participle of privare to deprive, release, from privus private, individual; probably akin to Latin pro for, in front of for
First known use: 14th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Private
- CEFR level: B1 English Vocabulary — Page 11
- Topics: Descriptions / Adjectives
Words & Phrases Containing Private
Frequently Asked Questions about Private
What does "Private" mean?
"Private" means intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class. It has 3 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Private"?
Other words for "Private" include behind-the-scenes, confidential, esoteric, hushed, hush-hush, inside, intimate and nonpublic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Private" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Private"?
There are 84 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Private". Common alternatives include behind-the-scenes, confidential, esoteric, hushed, hush-hush, inside, intimate, nonpublic, privy and secret.
What is the opposite of "Private"?
Antonyms of "Private" include common, open, public, overt, general, generic, popular and shared. Near antonyms include well-known, advertised, aired and announced.
How do you use "Private" in a sentence?
Examples of "Private" in a sentence: "that he is planning to retire is private information until he makes a public announcement"; "a private investigation of the organization's activities"; "club lockers in which private property may be stored".
Is "Private" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Private" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.
Is "Private" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As a B1-level word, "Private" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.
How do you pronounce "Private"?
"Private" is pronounced /ˈprī-vət/ and divided into syllables as pri·vate.