privy
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for privy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having private or secret knowledge of something, especially information not shared with everyone.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use privy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French privé, "private," from Latin privatus — the same root as the modern word "private," of which "privy" is a doublet.
Full origin of privy →Frequently asked questions
What does “privy” mean?
The word “privy” means having private or secret knowledge of something, especially information not shared with everyone. In plain terms, either "in on" secret information, or (as a noun) an old-style outhouse toilet.
How do you pronounce “privy”?
“Privy” is pronounced PRIH-vee (/ˈpɹɪvi/ in IPA).
How do you use “privy” in a sentence?
Here is “privy” used in a sentence: “Only a handful of executives were privy to the merger talks.”
What part of speech is “privy”?
Depending on how it is used, “privy” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “privy” come from?
The word “privy” comes from Latin. From Old French privé, "private," from Latin privatus — the same root as the modern word "private," of which "privy" is a doublet.
Is “privy” a common word?
“Privy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “privy” have?
“Privy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having private or secret knowledge of something, especially information not shared with everyone.