publicly
PUHB-lihk-lee
Publicly (adverb) means In a way that is open and visible to everyone, not in private. Example: “The council meets publicly, so any resident can come and listen.”
adverb
1
In a way that is open and visible to everyone, not in private.
"The council meets publicly, so any resident can come and listen."
"The CEO publicly apologized for the data breach."
"He refused to discuss the matter publicly."
2
On behalf of, or paid for by, the public.
"Publicly owned parks and libraries are paid for by local taxes."
"Many people prefer publicly run hospitals to private ones."
"The stadium was built with publicly funded money."
How to use publicly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOut in the open, where everyone can see or hear it.
Common pairings
publicly stated
publicly funded
publicly available
speak publicly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more publicly
- Superlative
- most publicly
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The council meets _____, so any resident can come and listen.
Etymology
Formed from public plus the adverb suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “publicly” mean?
The word “publicly” means in a way that is open and visible to everyone, not in private. In plain terms, out in the open, where everyone can see or hear it.
How do you pronounce “publicly”?
“Publicly” is pronounced PUHB-lihk-lee (/ˈpʌblɪkli/ in IPA).
How do you use “publicly” in a sentence?
Here is “publicly” used in a sentence: “The CEO publicly apologized for the data breach.”
What is the opposite of “publicly”?
The opposite of “publicly” — its antonyms — are privately and secretly.
What part of speech is “publicly”?
“Publicly” is an adverb.
Is “publicly” a common word?
“Publicly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “publicly” have?
“Publicly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that is open and visible to everyone, not in private.
Is it spelled "publicly" or "publically"?
The correct spelling is "publicly". "Publically" is a common misspelling and is not accepted in standard English, even though most adverbs formed from adjectives ending in -ic add "-ally".
What is the difference between publicly and openly?
Both describe doing something in a way that is visible rather than hidden. "Publicly" stresses that everyone can see or know about it, often in a formal or official setting, while "openly" simply means without concealment.
When should you use publicly instead of public?
Use "publicly" as an adverb to describe how an action is done, as in "she spoke publicly". Use "public" as an adjective before a noun, as in "a public statement". The -ly ending marks the adverb form.
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