public
PUHB-lihk
Public (adj) means Open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private. Example: “The scandal became public knowledge within days.”
adj
1
Open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private.
"The scandal became public knowledge within days."
"They made their engagement public on social media."
"The mayor held a public meeting so anyone could ask questions."
2
Provided by the government for use by the whole community, funded by taxes.
"She sends her kids to the local public school."
"The city invested heavily in public transportation."
"You can use the public library for free with your card."
3
Relating to a company whose shares are traded on the stock market.
"The startup went public with a hugely successful IPO."
"Public companies must publish their accounts every year for investors to read."
"My uncle works for a large public company that sells its shares openly."
noun
1
Ordinary people in general; the community as a whole.
"The museum is open to the public every day except Monday."
"The council asked the public for ideas about the new park."
"Members of the public are not allowed beyond this door."
How to use public
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBelonging to, funded by, or open to everyone — the opposite of private.
Common mistake
In UK English, a "public school" confusingly means an elite, expensive private school; in the US, "public school" means a free, government-funded school.
UK vs US
"Public school" has near-opposite meanings in UK vs. US English.
Common pairings
public opinion
go public
public sector
general public
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like public.
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
- publics
- Third person singular
- publics
- Past tense
- publicked
- Comparative
- more public
- Superlative
- most public
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The scandal became _____ knowledge within days.
Etymology
From Old French public, from Latin publicus ("of the people, of the community"), related to populus ("the people").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for public
See all rhymes for public →Frequently asked questions
What does “public” mean?
The word “public” means open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private. In plain terms, belonging to, funded by, or open to everyone — the opposite of private.
How do you pronounce “public”?
“Public” is pronounced PUHB-lihk (/ˈpʌblɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “public” in a sentence?
Here is “public” used in a sentence: “The scandal became public knowledge within days.”
What is the opposite of “public”?
The opposite of “public” — its antonyms — are nonpublic, private and unpublic.
What part of speech is “public”?
Depending on how it is used, “public” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “public” come from?
The word “public” comes from Latin. From Old French public, from Latin publicus ("of the people, of the community"), related to populus ("the people").
Is “public” a common word?
“Public” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “public” have?
“Public” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: open and visible to everyone; not hidden or private.
What is the difference between public and private?
'Public' means open, shared, or visible to everyone, while 'private' means restricted, hidden, or belonging to a particular person or group. A public park is open to all; a private garden is not. The pair are direct opposites, covering who may enter, use, or see something.
What is the opposite of 'public'?
The main opposite of 'public' is 'private,' meaning restricted or not open to everyone. Depending on the sense, 'personal,' 'hidden,' 'confidential,' or 'secret' can also serve as opposites. A public statement is meant for all to hear, whereas a private or confidential one is kept to a chosen few.
What is an example of something public?
Anything open to everyone can be called public. Public spaces include parks, libraries, streets, and beaches; public information is available for all to read; a public figure is known to the wider world. If people generally may enter, use, or see it without special permission, the word 'public' applies.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include public:
