privately

The word “privately” means in a manner not open to the public or shared with others. In plain terms, done quietly, out of public view, or told only to select people.

“Privately” is pronounced PREYE-viht-lee (/ˈpɹaɪvɪtli/ in IPA).

Here is “privately” used in a sentence: “She privately admitted she had made a mistake.”

The opposite of “privately” — its antonyms — is publicly.

“Privately” is an adverb.

“Privately” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Privately means not in public or not shared with others: "the two leaders spoke privately". Personally means "speaking for myself" or "in person": "personally, I disagree", "she thanked him personally". You can hold a doubt privately, telling no one, yet express a view personally, as your own.

A privately held or privately owned company is one whose shares are not traded on a public stock exchange; ownership stays with founders, families, or private investors. Privately here signals that ownership is not open to the general public — the opposite of a publicly traded company.

It most often follows the verb or clause it modifies: "they met privately", "she privately doubted the plan". Placed at the start of a sentence, it frames the whole statement as unshared or off the record: "Privately, officials admit the deadline will slip." All of these positions are standard.