public
3 antonyms and opposites of public, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private.
Antonyms
How to use public
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French public, from Latin publicus ("of the people, of the community"), related to populus ("the people").
Full origin of public →Frequently asked questions
What does “public” mean?
The word “public” means open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private. In plain terms, belonging to, funded by, or open to everyone — the opposite of private.
How do you pronounce “public”?
“Public” is pronounced PUHB-lihk (/ˈpʌblɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “public” in a sentence?
Here is “public” used in a sentence: “The scandal became public knowledge within days.”
What is the opposite of “public”?
The opposite of “public” — its antonyms — are nonpublic, private and unpublic.
What part of speech is “public”?
Depending on how it is used, “public” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “public” come from?
The word “public” comes from Latin. From Old French public, from Latin publicus ("of the people, of the community"), related to populus ("the people").
Is “public” a common word?
“Public” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “public” have?
“Public” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private.
What is the difference between public and private?
'Public' means open, shared, or visible to everyone, while 'private' means restricted, hidden, or belonging to a particular person or group. A public park is open to all; a private garden is not. The pair are direct opposites, covering who may enter, use, or see something.
What is the opposite of 'public'?
The main opposite of 'public' is 'private,' meaning restricted or not open to everyone. Depending on the sense, 'personal,' 'hidden,' 'confidential,' or 'secret' can also serve as opposites. A public statement is meant for all to hear, whereas a private or confidential one is kept to a chosen few.
What is an example of something public?
Anything open to everyone can be called public. Public spaces include parks, libraries, streets, and beaches; public information is available for all to read; a public figure is known to the wider world. If people generally may enter, use, or see it without special permission, the word 'public' applies.