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private

private

1.8
For one person or group only and not open to others
  • adjective
  • /ˈpraɪvɪt/
translation icon : privado
  • My private room, please.
  • private sector
  • public-private partnership
  • a private school

So they all come to this club, private club for New Year's.

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Examples

  • In fact, he got financing from private donors for the Beagle.

  • So they all come to this club, private club for New Year's.

  • - I wonder if I could talk to you in private.

  • Did you know that he has a private jet?

  • The sample included students from both public and private institutions from 31 different states.

    Academic text (2012)
  • They just want a private sale as is cash.

  • That was where the emperor's private quarters were located.

  • I inquired at the hotel for a reliable private detective.

  • The meeting was held in a private room so that they could discuss sensitive issues.

  • He wrote a letter to his friend and marked it as private to keep its contents confidential.

Synonyms

secret
vsprivate
2.0

Hidden so other people do not know about it

is about belonging to one person or group, not necessarily hidden
exclusive
vsprivate
399 5.4

Only for one person, group, or purpose and not shared

is about belonging to a single person or group rather than selective membership
confidential
vsprivate
205 5.3

Not shared with others because it should be secret

focuses on belonging to one person or group rather than secrecy
inner
vsprivate
117 4.1

Shared only by a small private group of people

is meant for a single person or group rather than a small select circle
secluded
vsprivate
35 5.1

A place not seen or visited by many people

refers to being for one person or group rather than physical remoteness
closed-door
vsprivate
19 5.3

Not open to the public and held privately by a small group

is about belonging to one person or group rather than only restricted events
unshared
vsprivate
1 5.9

One person or group keeps it and does not give it to others

is the general term for being meant for only one person or group
noncommunal
vsprivate
7.1

Only one person or group uses it

focuses on being for one person or group rather than community use

Antonyms

1.0

Open or available to everyone, not private

579 1.0

Not decided and still possible to change

1 1.0

Used, held, or felt by more than one group of people

Idioms

249 2.4

Without other people present

Compounds

120 1.9

A place where children learn that is not run by the government and costs money

Things you can move, like cars or jewelry, that belong to one person, not land

A person hired to find facts about crimes or private matters who is not a police officer

A person who does not hold a government job or public office

Work of a doctor or lawyer who has their own office and does not work for an organization

A person who is not a police officer and is paid to investigate crimes

private eye
  • Informal
24 4.2

A person hired to find out information for someone, often about crimes

14 3.0

The parts of the body used for sex and peeing

Businesses owned and run by people or companies, not the government

private corporation
  • Specialized
8 3.7

A company owned by a small group whose shares are not sold to the public

private line
  • Specialized
5 3.7

A phone line used only by one person or business

private dick
  • Archaic
4 8.8

A person hired to find facts or solve crimes for paying clients

private foundation
  • Specialized
4 4.8

A charity that gets most of its money from one person or company

3 3.3

A road owned by a person or company that leads to a house and is not for public use

buck private
  • Archaic
1 8.2

A soldier with the lowest rank in the US Army or Marines

A group of guards a company or person hires to protect people and property

A place where you are not seen or heard by others

A person who teaches one student or a small group outside school, often at home

Relating to businesses owned and run by people or companies to make profit, not the state

8.5

Illegal action that stops a person from using or enjoying their land

A person who keeps their thoughts and feelings to themselves

private treaty
  • Specialized
7.2

A sale of property agreed directly between buyer and seller without an auction

How Private

exclusive
399 5.4
restricted
18 3.9
private
1.8
shared
1 1.0
public
1.0

Surface Forms

private positive

Etymology

Private comes from the Latin privatus, which meant 'to set apart', so it describes things kept for one person or group and not open to the public, as in private property that belongs only to its owner.