privacy
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for privacy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The state of being free from observation or intrusion by others.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use privacy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
invade someone's privacy
privacy settings
right to privacy
a lack of privacy
Etymology
Built from "private" plus the noun-forming suffix -cy, following the same pattern as "accuracy" from "accurate."
Full origin of privacy →Frequently asked questions
What does “privacy” mean?
The word “privacy” means the state of being free from observation or intrusion by others. In plain terms, being left alone, unobserved, and in control of your own personal information.
How do you pronounce “privacy”?
“Privacy” is pronounced PRIHV-uh-see (/ˈpɹaɪ.və.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “privacy” in a sentence?
Here is “privacy” used in a sentence: “She closed the blinds to have some privacy while getting changed.”
What part of speech is “privacy”?
“Privacy” is a noun.
Is “privacy” a common word?
“Privacy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “privacy” have?
“Privacy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being free from observation or intrusion by others.
What is the difference between privacy and secrecy?
Privacy is the state of being free from observation or intrusion and having control over your personal information, while secrecy is the active concealment of information from others. Privacy is something people expect by default, whereas secrecy usually implies deliberately hiding something.
What is the difference between privacy and confidentiality?
Privacy belongs to the individual and concerns their freedom from intrusion and control over their own information, while confidentiality is the duty of others to protect information they have been given. A doctor keeps records confidential in order to protect a patient's privacy.
How do you spell "privacy" correctly?
The correct spelling is "privacy," with the letter sequence p-r-i-v-a-c-y. A common mistake is dropping the second "a" before the "cy" ending.
What are common collocations with "privacy"?
Frequent pairings include "invasion of privacy," "right to privacy," "privacy policy," "data privacy," and "personal privacy." Many of these relate to protecting personal information from being exposed or shared without consent.
