Private

/ˈpraɪ.vət/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person of a rank below that of a sergeant in the army.

The private was awarded a medal for his bravery during the battle.

adjective

Intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person or group.

She has a private office where she can work without interruptions.

Not public; belonging to and controlled by an individual or group.

He made a private investment in the startup company.

Personal; confidential.

He shared some private thoughts with his closest friends.

Not open or accessible to the public.

The private event was invite-only, and no outsiders were allowed.

Late Middle English: from Latin 'privatus' meaning 'separated, removed, or personal'.

private matter

A subject that should remain confidential and not be disclosed to others.

private life

The aspect of a person's life that is not known to the public.

private property

Land or possessions that are owned by an individual and not open to the public.

privatization

The process of transferring ownership of property or businesses from the public sector to private individuals.

privilege

A special right or advantage granted to a person or group.

A term sometimes used to refer to someone who is reserved or introverted.

He's so private, you hardly ever see him at parties.

Used in tech to denote secure or location-restricted content.

Make sure your account settings are private for better security.