Dunno
Vietnamese
English
Korean
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Spanish
French
Japanese

private [ pri·vate ]

[
US
ˈpraɪvət ]
[
UK
ˈpraɪvət ]
Pronounce
Video
News
icon Duno DictionaryBuildings
icon Duno DictionaryWar and conflict
icon Duno DictionaryHealthcare
Filter
All
English-English
Phrase
Synonymous
Grammar
Level
TOEIC 800

Adjective

1. Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group of people only.

his private plane

Show more (2)
2. (of a conversation, activity, or gathering) involving only a particular person or group, and often dealing with matters that are not to be disclosed to others.

this is a private conversation

Show more (2)
3. (of thoughts and feelings) not to be revealed to others.

she felt awkward at intruding on private grief

Show more (2)
4. (of a person) choosing not to reveal their thoughts and feelings to others.

Friends recall him as a private man, a man who did not often reveal his feelings.

Show more (2)
5. (of a place) quiet and free from people who may interrupt.

can we go somewhere a little more private?

Show more (2)
6. (especially of two people) alone and undisturbed by others.

He needed some private moments alone to reshuffle his current emotions.

Show more (2)
7. (of a person) having no official or public role or position.

the paintings were sold to a private collector

Show more (2)
8. Not connected with one's work or official position.

the ambassador visited the school in a private capacity

Show more (2)
9. (of a service or industry) provided or owned by an individual or an independent, commercial company rather than the state.

this research was carried out by private industry

Show more (2)
10. (of education or medical treatment) conducted outside the state system and charging fees to those who make use of it.

Hospitals, NHS or private, would charge insurers for their services.

Show more (2)
11. Relating to or denoting a transaction between individuals and not involving commercial organizations.

it was a private sale—no estate agent's commission

Show more (2)

Noun

1. The lowest rank in the army, below lance corporal or private first class.

A military investigation found the soldiers responsible for wounding a female private.

Show more (2)
2. (privates) short for private parts

‘Hey, gimme that,’ says the second kid protecting his privates.

Show more (2)

Origin

1. Late Middle English (originally denoting a person not acting in an official capacity): from Latin privatus ‘withdrawn from public life’, a use of the past participle of privare ‘bereave, deprive’, from privus ‘single, individual’.

Image