private
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- exclusive, individual, intimate, own, personal, reserved, special
- secret, clandestine, confidential, covert, hush-hush (informal), off the record, unofficial
- secluded, isolated, secret, separate, sequestered, solitary

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Antonyms: public
Contrasted words: common, general, shared, open
Related Words: intimate, secret, discreet, concealed, hidden

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English Thesaurus: private, personal, secret, intimate, innermost, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. pri‧vate¹ S1 W1 /ˈpraɪvət, ˈpraɪvɪt/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: privacy, private, privatization; verb: privatize; adverb: privately; adjective: private]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: privatus, past participle of privare; ⇒ deprive]

1. NOT FOR THE PUBLIC for use by one person or group, not for everyone Antonym : public:
Morris has a private jet.
He made some notes for his private use.
Many communists objected to any form of private property.

2. NOT GOVERNMENT [only before noun] not related to, owned by, or paid for by the government Antonym : public:
a private hospital
There is private ownership of property in a market economy.
private education
go private British English (=pay for medical treatment instead of getting it free at a public hospital)

3. FOR ONLY A FEW a private meeting, conversation etc involves only two people or a small number of people, and is not for other people to know about:
I need to have a private discussion with you.
Are you alone? I just wanted a private word.

4. SECRET private feelings, information, or opinions are personal or secret and not for other people to know about:
Jack’s private opinion was that she was selfish.
Don’t read that – it’s private.

5. NOT PUBLICLY KNOWN used about someone who is not known to the public or not working for the government or another organization:
a private citizen
The painting was sold to a private collector.
Seven police and three private individuals needed medical attention.

6. NOT WORK separate from and not related to your work or your official position:
The president is paying a private visit to Europe.
He enjoys everything he does in both his professional and his private life.

7. QUIET PLACE quiet and without a lot of people:
Why don’t we go upstairs where it’s more private?

8. PERSON [only before noun] a private person is one who likes being alone, and does not talk much about their thoughts or feelings:
He’s a very private man.

9. private joke a joke made between friends, family members etc that other people do not understand ⇒ privately

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. private² noun
[Word Family: noun: privacy, private, privatization; verb: privatize; adverb: privately; adjective: private]

1. in private without other people being present:
I need to speak to you in private.

2. [countable] a soldier of the lowest rank

3. privates [plural] informal private parts

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

private if something is private, you do not want most people to know about it because it concerns your feelings, your relationships etc:
He didn’t want to discuss his private life.
What happens in the bedroom is strictly private.
personal relating to your private life – used especially about problems, feelings, and questions:
They asked a lot of personal questions.
She talked about her own personal feelings.
I’d rather not talk about it – it’s personal.
The singer has had a lot of problems in her personal life.
secret [only before noun] used about feelings and thoughts that you do not tell anyone about:
Barclay had a secret desire to become an actor.
His secret fear was that Jenny would leave him.
intimate very private – used about things relating to your relationships and sexual feelings:
an intimate conversation
Many people share intimate details of their lives on the Internet.
their intimate moments together
innermost [only before noun] your innermost feelings, thoughts etc are your most private ones:
Counselling often encourages you to reveal your innermost thoughts.
be none of sb’s business if something is none of your business, it is private and you should not ask about it:
It’s none of your business how much I earn.
‘Are you married?’ ‘That’s none of your business.’

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

private
ˈpraɪvɪt
See: in private

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲