private
PREYE-viht
Private (adj) means belonging to a particular person or group, rather than the public or the state. Example: “This road is private property.”
adj
1
Belonging to a particular person or group, rather than the public or the state.
"This road is private property."
"They travelled there in a private jet."
"The club has its own private beach for members only."
2
Not meant to be shared or known publicly; confidential.
"That's a private matter between me and my doctor."
"Her diary is private, so please don't read it."
"Staff must keep customers' private details safe and never share them."
3
Secluded from view or disturbance by others.
"They found a private spot in the garden to talk."
"The hotel room had a private balcony overlooking the quiet courtyard."
"I need a private corner of the library to concentrate."
noun
1
The lowest-ranking soldier in an army.
"The private followed the sergeant's orders without question."
"Every private in the unit had to polish their boots before inspection."
"After two years as a private, he was promoted to corporal."
How to use private
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot public — kept to yourself, one person, or a specific group, whether that's information, property, or a place.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
private property
private school
private sector
keep something private
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like private.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- privates
- Third person singular
- privates
- Past tense
- privated
- Comparative
- more private
- Superlative
- most private
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This road is _____ property.
Etymology
From Latin privatus, "set apart" or "not belonging to the state," from privus meaning "one's own." A doublet of "privy," which comes from the same root.
Synonyms
View more →
personal
individual
exclusive
confidential
own
privately owned
restricted
buck private
common soldier
intimate
secret
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for private
See all rhymes for private →Frequently asked questions
What does “private” mean?
The word “private” means belonging to a particular person or group, rather than the public or the state. In plain terms, not public — kept to yourself, one person, or a specific group, whether that's information, property, or a place.
How do you pronounce “private”?
“Private” is pronounced PREYE-viht ([ˈpʰɹaɪ̯vɪt] in IPA).
How do you use “private” in a sentence?
Here is “private” used in a sentence: “This road is private property.”
What is the opposite of “private”?
The opposite of “private” — its antonyms — is public.
What part of speech is “private”?
Depending on how it is used, “private” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “private” come from?
The word “private” comes from Latin. From Latin privatus, "set apart" or "not belonging to the state," from privus meaning "one's own." A doublet of "privy," which comes from the same root.
Is “private” a common word?
“Private” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “private” have?
“Private” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to a particular person or group, rather than the public or the state.
What is the difference between private and privy?
Private is an adjective meaning belonging to a particular person or group rather than the public. Privy is more specialised: to be privy to something means to share in secret knowledge of it. You keep private matters to yourself, but you are privy to information others do not have. Only 'private' describes ownership.
What is the difference between private and public?
Private describes what belongs to a particular person, company, or group and is closed to outsiders. Public describes what belongs to or is open to everyone — the state, the community, or society at large. A private garden serves one household; a public park serves all. They are direct opposites in ownership and access.
What are the different meanings of private?
Beyond ownership, private has several senses. It can mean personal or confidential, as in private thoughts or a private conversation. It can mean secluded, like a private corner of a restaurant. As a noun, a private is the lowest rank of soldier. The core idea is always something kept apart from the general public.
Is private a formal word?
Private is neutral and works in both everyday and formal settings. You might discuss a private matter with a friend or sign a document about a private company. It carries no strong positive or negative tone on its own, though it can imply secrecy or exclusivity depending on the context in which it appears.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include private:
