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1. Dictionary

   private

   /ˈprʌɪvɪt/

   adjective

   • 1. belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group of people only: "all bedrooms have private facilities" Similar personalone's ownindividualparticularspecialexclusiveprivately ownedOpposite public
   • ▪ (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" Similar confidentialstrictly confidentialsecrettop secretclassifiedunofficialoff the recordnot for publicationnot to be made publicnot to be disclosedclosetbackstageoffstageprivilegedone-on-onetête-à-têtecovertclandestinesurreptitiousin camerainformal:hush-hushOpposite openpublic
   • ▪ (of thoughts and feelings) not to be revealed to others: "she felt awkward at intruding on private grief" Similar intimatepersonalsecretinnermostinwardunspokenundeclaredundisclosedunvoicedsneakinghidden
   • ▪ (of a person) choosing not to reveal their thoughts and feelings to others: "he was a very private man" Similar reservedintrovertintrovertedself-containedreticentdiscreetuncommunicativenon-communicativemedia-shyunforthcomingsecretiveretiringungregariousunsocialunsociablewithdrawnsolitaryinsularreclusivehermit-likehermiticOpposite extrovert
   • ▪ (of a place) quiet and free from people who may interrupt: "can we go somewhere a little more private?" Similar secludedsecretquietundisturbedconcealedhiddenremoteisolatedout of the waysequesteredOpposite busycrowded
   • ▪ (especially of two people) alone and undisturbed by others: "we can phone from the library—we'll be private in there" Similar undisturbeduninterruptedwithout disturbancewithout interruptionaloneby ourselves
   • 2. (of a person) having no official or public role or position: "the paintings were sold to a private collector"
   • ▪ not connected with one's work or official position: "the ambassador visited the school in a private capacity" Similar unofficialpersonalnon-officialnon-publicOpposite official
   • 3. (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" Similar independentnon-state-controllednon-state-runprivatizeddenationalizednon-publiccommercialprivate-enterpriseOpposite publicnationalizedstate-controlled
   • ▪ (of education or medical treatment) conducted outside the state system and charging fees to those who make use of it: "private education"
   • ▪ relating to or denoting a transaction between individuals and not involving commercial organizations: "it was a private sale—no estate agent's commission"

   noun

   • 1. the lowest rank in the army, below lance corporal or private first class.
   • 2. short for private parts informal

   Word Origin 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’.

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › privatePrivate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › private

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word private as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how private relates to personal, public, official, and secret matters.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPRIVATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of private as an adjective, noun, and idiom in English. Find out how to use private to describe personal, independent, or secret matters, and see synonyms, antonyms, and related words.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › privatePRIVATE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › private

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   Learn the meaning of private as an adjective, noun, and idiom in English. Find out how to use private in different contexts, such as personal, official, or business, with synonyms, antonyms, and examples.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › privatePRIVATE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   removed from or out of public view or knowledge; secret: private papers. not open or accessible to the general public: a private beach. undertaken individually or personally: private research. without the presence of others; alone: Let's go into another room where we can be private. Synonyms: retired. solitary; secluded:

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPRIVATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word private as an adjective, noun, or adverb. Find synonyms, examples, and pronunciation of private in British and American English.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › privatePrivate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › private

   Something private is something you don't want to share; it's for your eyes only. Your diary entries and your bank account balance might both be kept private.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionprivate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   Definition of private adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.