adj
Uncommon
privy
PRIH-vee
Privy (adj) means having private or secret knowledge of something, especially information not shared with everyone. Example: “Only a handful of executives were privy to the merger talks.”
adj
1
Having private or secret knowledge of something, especially information not shared with everyone.
"Only a handful of executives were privy to the merger talks."
"I was not privy to the details of their private conversation."
"Only the head teacher was privy to the results before they were published."
2
Private or belonging to a particular individual, especially in formal or legal contexts.
"The privy council advised the monarch directly."
noun
1
An old-fashioned or rural outdoor toilet.
"The old farmhouse still had a privy out back."
"Before plumbing arrived, the family walked down the garden to the privy."
"The museum has kept a wooden privy from the Victorian cottage."
How to use privy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "in on" secret information, or (as a noun) an old-style outhouse toilet.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
privy to
privy council
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Word forms
- Plural
- privies
- Comparative
- more privy
- Superlative
- most privy
Fill the gap
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Only a handful of executives were _____ to the merger talks.
Etymology
From Old French privé, "private," from Latin privatus — the same root as the modern word "private," of which "privy" is a doublet.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for privy
See all rhymes for 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.
