private1 adjectiveprivate2 noun
privatepri‧vate1 /ˈpraɪvət/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective 
WORD ORIGINprivate1
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin privatus, past participle of privare; ➔ DEPRIVEEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Private hospitals can afford to pay much higher salaries than state-run hospitals.
- private property
- a private college
- After his death the author's family released many of his private papers.
- Brando is a private man who almost never gives interviews to the press.
- Brian had an irritating habit of saying, "It'll be fine!", whenever she mentioned any of her private fears.
- Clarence refused to comment on the state of his marriage, saying, it "is a private matter which we'd like to keep private.''
- Do you think the teaching in private schools is better than in state schools?
- Each guest has a private bathroom.
- Earlier the Dalai Lama had spent six days in England on a private visit.
- Guy had to obey his superiors, no matter what his private thoughts on the matter.
- He doesn't talk much about his family - he's a very private person.
- He keeps his private papers locked away in the top drawer of his desk.
- I've got something to tell you. Can we go somewhere private?
- Lou's a very private person - I don't know anything about her family.
- Susan is trying to balance her private life and her work.
- The book contains extracts from his diary and private letters.
- The garden's very private - it's not overlooked by anyone.
- The government plans to sell part of the railway network to private investors.
- The two leaders held private talks in June to try to resolve the dispute.
- He was also reportedly considering several offers from private businesses.
- If she undergoes surgery, it will take place in a private hospital and will be paid for by Zapatista supporters.
- If the government sells bonds to pay for its spending, interest rates rise and the private sector is squeeze.
- It also had many of the features of a private club, operated and run for the benefit of its members.
- It can do this primarily by cutting its own expenditures and by raising taxes so as to curtail private spending.
- The figures that she gave referred to comparisons with the private sector, not the national health service.
- There are four bedrooms, all with en suite or private facilities and fine views.
- There are twin, double and single rooms available, all with private facilities and most with a balcony.
THESAURUS
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.
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.
[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.
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
[only before noun] your innermost feelings, thoughts etc are your most private ones: · Counselling often encourages you to reveal your innermost thoughts.
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.’
Longman Language Activatorprivate thoughts and feelings not for other people to know about: · We all have our private dreams, fantasies and secrets. · Guy had to obey his superiors, no matter what his private thoughts on the matter.· Brian had an irritating habit of saying, "It'll be fine!", whenever she mentioned any of her private fears.keep something private: · Clarence refused to comment on the state of his marriage, saying, it "is a private matter which we'd like to keep private."
your secret thoughts and feelings are ones that you never show and never tell anyone else about: · I had a secret ambition to return to politics.secret hopes/fears/desires etc: · Psychologists say that dreams can reveal our secret desires.· Williams' diaries reveal all his secret hopes and fears.
very private, and usually concerned with your relationships, sexual feelings etc: · Some people see nothing wrong with appearing on a TV show, and revealing their most intimate thoughts.· They held hands, walked along the beach, and shared intimate secrets. intimate details: · You do not expect to see the most intimate details of your marriage splashed across the pages of the newspapers.
your personal thoughts and feelings are ones that you feel deeply, and do not usually tell other people about: · I'm not going to tell you that - it's personal!personal feelings/thoughts/problems: · She felt her problems were too personal to talk about.· In those days it was socially unacceptable for men to cry in public, or to express their personal feelings.
: innermost feelings/thoughts/secrets/desires etc feelings, thoughts etc that are very important to you, but that you do not like to talk to other people about: · He's not the kind of person to reveal his innermost secrets, even to his closest friends.· She works with emotionally disturbed people, teaching them to express their innermost feelings through poetry.
private conversations and letters between yourself and another person, and not to be listened to or seen by anyone else: · He keeps his private papers locked away in the top drawer of his desk.· You shouldn't be listening to a private conversation!· The book contains extracts from his diary and private letters.
personal letters and papers concern only yourself and are not for other people to read: · I'm sorry but my diary is personal. I don't let anyone else read it.· There was a letter on Sarah's desk marked "personal".
intimate conversations etc are very private and usually concerned with your relationships, sexual feelings etc : · Some of the author's intimate correspondence was published after her death.· I saw that Brian was having an intimate conversation with an attractive young woman, and so I left quietly.
not connected with work or public life use this about things that are not connected with your work, which only concern you, your family, or close friends: · The senator's relationship with her family is a private matter - why put it on the front page of The Post?private/personal life: · The newspapers are full of stories about the private lives of famous people.· She had worked with Bill for 5 years, but she knew nothing of his personal life.personal relationship: · Dave was very successful in business, but always had problems in his personal relationships.personal call/phone call/letter: · If you must make personal phone calls at work, please keep them short.personal problem: · There are counsellors at the college to help students with personal problems.
concerning your life at home, especially with your family, and not your business or work: · Domestic problems are affecting his work.· History books do not tell us much about the domestic lives of our ancestors.· It can be difficult for people with domestic responsibilities to work late at night.
when you are alone and other people cannot hear or see you when you are able to be alone, and not be heard or seen by other people: · The problem with open plan offices is that you don't have any privacy.· The condo was beautiful, and they had plenty of privacy, with a hot tub in a little private garden.respect somebody's privacy (=let someone have some privacy): · The press has been asked to respect the privacy of the Royal Family during this very difficult time.invade somebody's privacy (=to upset or annoy someone by not allowing them to have privacy): · Her husband's colleagues kept coming to the house, invading her privacy, and expecting food and drinks.in the privacy of your own room/home etc (=in a place where you can have some privacy): · I waited until I was in the privacy of my own room before I opened the letter.
a private place is one in which you can be alone without anyone hearing you or seeing what you are doing: · I've got something to tell you. Can we go somewhere private?· The garden's very private - it's not overlooked by anyone.
if you do something in private , you do it when other people are not present: · Can I speak to you in private for a minute?
unwilling to talk to other people about yourself a private person is one who likes being alone and does not talk much about their thoughts or feelings: · Lou's a very private person - I don't know anything about her family.· Brando is a private man who almost never gives interviews to the press.
British /keep to yourself American to not spend much time with other people and not talk much with other people, especially about your personal feelings or opinions: · Mrs Jackson, a widow who kept herself to herself, lived in the flat above.· Until he got used to his new school, Davy kept to himself and almost never spoke to the other children.
what you say to tell someone that something is private use this to tell someone, who has asked you about something private, that you think they have no right to ask you: · "I don't care what you think, and anyway it's none of your business," she said rather rudely.· "Where did you get the money?" "That's my business."it's none of your business what/where/how etc: · It's none of your business how much I earn.
say this when someone is asking questions about your private life that you do not want to answer: · "Where did you sleep last night?" "Mind your own business."· I wish you'd stop interfering and mind your own business.
not controlled by the government a private school, hospital etc is not one that is owned by the government and that you must pay money to use: · Private hospitals can afford to pay much higher salaries than state-run hospitals.· The government plans to sell part of the railway network to private investors.· Do you think the teaching in private schools is better than in state schools?
: commercial TV/radio/channel a television or radio company that gets its money from advertising: · Most European countries have a mixture of commercial and state-run television.· Denmark's first commercial channel went on air on June 1, 1987.· the most popular commercial radio station in London
not owned or paid for by the government: · Robin worked for one of the largest independent television companies.· Local companies and industries have been helping independent schools by providing buildings and equipment.
all the industries and services that are not owned or paid for by the government: · The government is now turning to the private sector for alternative ways of dealing with the country's transportation problems.private sector spending/housing/finance etc: · Private sector housing is just too expensive for low-income families in the city at the moment.
the economic system in which industries, factories etc are owned and controlled by private companies and not by the government: · Sweden has always had a mixture of private enterprise and state control in its economy.· Margaret Thatcher tried to encourage private enterprise by selling off Britain's nationalized industries.· Even in the United States, free enterprise is subject to government controls.
to make a public company or organization private if a government privatizes a government-controlled industry, service, or company, it sells it to private owners, who then manage it for their own profit: · Hungary has been very keen to privatize its major industries, following the democratic reforms of 1988.· Employees of the Strathtay bus company, which has been privatized, are concerned that drivers are about to be made redundant.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Many communists objected to any form of private property. Seven police and three private individuals needed medical attention. He enjoys everything he does in both his professional and his private life.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He owns a private jet. the decline in standards of personal morality The authorities are protectors of public morality. a private operator running regular passenger services The company was returned to private ownership in mid-1987. The two sides have been engaged in a bitter private vendetta.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
Many communists objected to any form of private property. British English (=pay for medical treatment instead of getting it free at a public hospital)
Seven police and three private individuals needed medical attention. He enjoys everything he does in both his professional and his private life.· What’s your home address?
(=things that are personal and not for other people to know about)· He never discussed his private affairs in public.
(=owned by someone, so you need permission to use it)· The hotel has its own private beach.
· Have a confidential chat with the school nurse.
(=an ordinary citizen without a public position)· Laws exist to protect private citizens.
(=a person rather than a business)· There are more than 200 stockbroking firms eager to take on private clients.
(=not paid for by the government)· Fees at private clinics are usually very high.
(=belonging to a person rather than a museum, gallery etc)· Many of the paintings are now in private collections.
(=not owned by the government)· There are many tiny private companies.
· She later agreed to the publication of parts of her personal diary.
(=given by individual people)· Other funds are coming from private donations.
(=that people have to pay for)· I don't agree with the principle of private education.
· She is one of the richest women in Britain, with an estimated personal fortune of £90 million.
(=owned by a private person)· The portrait was to be sold to a private gallery in the United States.
(=one owned by someone)· It was a residential neighborhood of private houses.
(=a person, not a company or business)· Few shares in the company are owned by private individuals.
(=investment by private individuals)· Public expenditure in declining areas will attract future private investment.
He owns a private jet. (=that only a few people who are involved in something will understand)· After I’d worked there a while, I started to understand some of the inside jokes.
(=a lesson specially for one person rather than for a class)· He gave private lessons in mathematics at the weekends.
(=for one person to read and nobody else)· He accused her of reading his private mail.
· We never spoke about personal matters.
(=that only a few people are allowed to go to)· The senator attended a private meeting with the president.
the decline in standards of personal morality The authorities are protectors of public morality. (=a very bad situation that affects only one person)· His personal nightmare began when he was arrested for murder.
a private operator running regular passenger services The company was returned to private ownership in mid-1987. (=one that you arrange with a private pension company)· The percentage of the workforce with a private pension has declined.
· He flew to Vegas in his private plane.
· The land on the other side of the gate is private property.
· The victim's widow is considering a private prosecution.
(also a public school British English) (=a school where students pay to study)· He was educated at a private school.
(=businesses that the government does not control)· Generally speaking, employees in the private sector are well rewarded.
· After the war, women refused to return quietly to the private sphere.
· She asked if she could have a private talk.
(=a vehicle that you own and drive)· 77 percent of respondents in the survey had regular access to private transport.
The two sides have been engaged in a bitter private vendetta.· All nine bedrooms have private bathrooms.· All the apartments and studios have private bathroom and kitchen facilities and a balcony.· All bedrooms have a private bathroom and balcony.· The bedrooms are comfortable and all have private bathroom, radio and telephone.· All the apartments have a separate bedroom, a private bathroom, cooking facilities, lounge and a terrace.· The apartments are comfortable and spacious with kitchenette, private bathroom and balcony and sleep 2, 3 or 4.
· No mention of private Bill procedure would be complete without mentioning the Dartford warbler.· It is always endangered and turns up whenever we discuss a private Bill.· They should not have to rely upon the private Bill procedure, because the issue is too important.· It is high time that the private Bill procedure was reformed.· Many points made during the passage of the previous, private Bill require to be considered.· I have been unable to find anyone who wishes to praise the private Bill procedure; it is an anachronism.
· She's hoping that private businesses will contribute to the upkeep.· By law, the airwaves belong to the public, not to private business owners.· The Chairman of Ways and Means has named opposed private business for consideration at seven o'clock.· There was no clear demarcation between work and play or public and private business.· Clearly we have intruded upon some private business.· Another 10 percent grabbed up jobs in private business as salaried lawyers, or drifted into management.· Legislation was passed on private business transactions and shareholding companies, and also amending the law on military service.· He was also reportedly considering several offers from private businesses.
· A transport policy which advocates private cars is not a policy which protects the environment.· There was a number-27I-in the rear side window; a private car service.· People stopped private cars and put the dead and injured in their boots.· Given that pollution levels relate to fuel consumption, private cars and taxis are also the greatest polluters.· Once the private car and Tokimo were put solely at the disposition of Amy, Amelia, and Muriel.· The hotel has its own large private car park.· Would have made matchsticks of the private car.
· That's something that ought to be taken care of by private citizens.· Liem had previously visited Pyongyang in 1977 as a private citizen.· Unfortunately, the social class of the private citizens could not be determined.· Shootings and other racially motivated violence perpetrated by private citizens continued to the end of the Carter years.· The publication of a book by a private citizen led to the breaking-off of diplomatic relations.· Now the obstacles seem even greater for Dole, the private citizen.· Indeed, it is often suggested that a major problem with the procedure is its lack of accessibility to the private citizen.· Laney said reports from Pyongyang indicate that private citizens are now engaged in black-market trading of a wide variety of goods.
· Seventy-nine works are included, some rarely seen outside private collections.· It was sort of a personal thing, a private collection.· It entered a private collection but was ordered to be returned to the Nationalgalerie by the Soviet military administration in 1949.· Many of the works are from private collections and have not previously been exhibited.· The private collection will be given to the Ashmolean when the exhibition closes in August.· Works by René Magritte are consequently to be seen in museums and private collections all round the world.· We have one of the most extensive and comprehensive private collections of cook-books in the North; and her library keeps growing.
· The source of Mr Mukhametshin's wealth is a private company called, unsurprisingly, Anis.· In a private company, the market value of the stock is determined by an outside valuation performed yearly.· By a government licence under the Act, Mercury Communications, a private company, was authorized to establish a communications system.· Then they brought in a private company to improve their gift shops, and gift sales increased by 50 percent.· Of this, £70,000 came from private companies.· The new commission would distribute power to the municipalities and it would also regulate the private companies.· For example it might be his private company.· With private companies, Datastream has estimated the value of the shareholdings in line with prevailing stock market values.
· May I ask the House not to indulge in private conversations.· They moved away to have a more private conversation, from which I gathered problems existed.· The telephone was just as it should be, with no bugging device to turn his private conversations into public knowledge.· And there were endless meetings and private conversations and arcane machinations, many never recorded.· Clinton went on to quote it again during the State of the Union and in other public remarks or private conversations.· The hubbub was so intense that it would be impossible to hold any private conversation.· I have had several private conversations with Steve about this.
· Edward is a private detective hired by an antiques dealer who asked Edward to list all of the valuables in the house.· Michael is a private detective and an aspiring writer.· Later, an appointment was arranged for a private detective to call at Montpelier Walk.· He had never been inside a police station, had never met a private detective, had never spoken to a criminal.· Well, engage a private detective.· The police made a few routine inquiries, came up with nothing, and then suggested that she hire a private detective.· But her lovelorn millionaire husband, Bill, had spent more than Pounds 50,000 on private detectives to track her down.· The private detective who, not so incidentally, taught Patrick everything he knows.
· Private medicine turned out to be one of these issues, and private education another.· They said they hope the publicity will lead to scholarship money for a private education for Miranda.· These schools now provided a free alternative to expensive private education - so that the number of middle-class children in them rose.· In due course I shall return to my private education on the London trading floor.· At present rates, an average private education will cost you about £50,000 by the end.· A private education hardly comes cheap: students have to pay up to $ 15,000.
· The development was originally envisaged as a private enterprise initiative.· You hear the same sort of thing from people who worked with Bush in private enterprise.· What models in addition to private enterprise are there for Community Economic Development? 7.· After graduation, Daley had his last experience with private enterprise.· Even more alluringly, the entire process could be handed over to private enterprise.· Its faith in private enterprise was nearly as absolute as its earlier faith that settlement would make the climate wetter.· The determination to use private enterprises as key actors was later complemented by stronger regulation.· In a slip of time, the mantle of achievement passed from private enterprise to public works.
· All four Karena hotels offer traditional rooms with private facilities, television, telephone, radio and a hospitality tray.· Single room with private facilities £3.50.· These include flights, hotel with private facilities, breakfast, taxes and entrance to the fair.· All rooms will have private facilities.· All the rooms at the Yahsi Beach are of a good size and have private facilities and balconies.· The apartments sleep 2-4 and have private facilities, kitchenette and balcony.· All bedrooms are of a high standard offering private facilities, satellite colour television, in-house movies and hospitality tray.
· Both types of superior have measures of the organization's overall performance - profits in private firms, popularity in governments.· As private firms, his companies report only to Companies House and Mr Branson himself.· And here I am trying to start up a private firm with one other black lawyer.· They're protesting at the government's proposals to allow private firms to tender for prison work.· It shows that in most cases, private firms deliver services more economically than public organizations.· Local private firms had built up a skilled work force that eventually drew in foreign multinationals on terms acceptable to the government.· Even in day care, private firms try to restrict the competition.
· Bupa has about 60 percent of the private health insurance market.· Objective: a totally private health market.· We will abolish tax relief for private health insurance, whilst protecting the rights of existing policy-holders.· That includes fraud against private health plans and against government programs such as Medicare.· Because neither life insurance nor private health plans normally cover you against the financial consequences of a seriously disabling accident.· The system serves people with severe and persistent mental illnesses who lack private health insurance.· Other fixes are more complex and include changing how Medicare pays doctors and hospitals, monitors spending and subsidizes private health insurers.
· Serious allegations have been made about the running of some private homes.· Home care is also provided by private home health agencies, hospitals and public health departments.· A study by Harriet and Sarah Harman, for example, documents appalling and degrading treatment of elderly people in private homes.· They had private homes or apartments, country estates, special restaurants and shops.· It is a white cottage-style residence, built as a private home in 1820.· A sophisticated technology brought running water into private homes, public bathhouses and imperial palaces.· There are 82 council houses and 120 private homes.· As you would expect from a former private home, the bedrooms vary both in size and decor.
· Gilfoyle, 31-year-old auxiliary nurse at a private hospital, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his eight-month pregnant wife, Paula.· This is a private hospital, not a state institution, and your sister committed you with-out any stipulations as to time.· And four-fifths of all treatment in private hospitals is paid for by insurance.· If she undergoes surgery, it will take place in a private hospital and will be paid for by Zapatista supporters.· The laboratories carried out all work for general practitioners, National Health Service, and private hospitals in the area.· There were at least two private hospitals closer, but they did not welcome blacks in their emergency room.· Construction of private hospitals was boosted by financial incentives during the period of economic growth in the 1970s.· The average costs of treating patients at private hospitals are less than those in public hospitals.
· About a third to a half the usable space in any private house is taken up by special rooms devoted to sleeping.· Co., and visit owners of private houses, castles and gardens.· Runs a treatment centre in a large private house near the south coast in Kent.· The approach came after a reception in a large private house in Belgravia.· The old village school, which closed in 1968, is now a private house and schoolchildren go by bus to Howden.· He remembers when schools were schools were closed for fear of catastrophic bombing raids in wartime Edinburgh and classes were spread among private houses.· They were painted on the walls of many private houses whether the occupants wanted them there or not.· Within a 22-mile radius there are several National Trust properties including: Castle Drogo, a splendid private house.
· Clive's estimate was that the Company and various private individuals made £3m. out of the change of rulers.· There were a disturbing number of private individuals who called in to say they hoped he would not be a candidate.· They were private individuals or partnerships, paid by the state to provide a universal service free at the point of use.· They sell to private individuals, families and riding stables, he said.· It was too expensive for most private individuals there to send telegrams; the network was used almost exclusively by the authorities.· But at the same time, bank lending to private individuals, and credit card use, has increased.· The accused may be prosecuted under Criminal Law whereas a private individual may be sued under Civil Law.· Prosecutions brought by determined private individuals may present greater problems.
· Observers suggested that the government's involvement followed a lack of interest from private industry.· What they are eventually going to do is fire these people and have private industry hire them at lower pay.· Most of the firms in private industry to which monopolies and mergers legislation is relevant are in fact oligopolists.· Shares in the company had rallied after the government pledged to sell it to private industry before the end of October.· Managers in public industries are often paid quite differently from those in private industry.· Being a private industry employment interviewer is being a salesperson.· It was generally believed that this would increase their efficiency in line with private industry.· Greater participation by private industry in prevention and treatment programs.
· The Twiggs hired a private investigator to find their real daughter.· Her family hired private investigators to find their daughter.· Others use private investigators when employees have been threatened or workers have complained about on-the-job harassment.
· Although there are occasional highly publicised instances of expropriation ... foreign private investment is growing rapidly.· Meanwhile, private investment will remain strong, propelled by a 14 % increase in corporate profits in 1995.· We shall pursue the privatisation programme, and encourage private investment, both domestic and foreign.· The key to meeting this challenge was to stimulate private investment in the city.· The success of such strategies is therefore usually expressed in terms of the ratio between public and private investment.· An attempt to observe whether or not public investment leverages private investment has therefore been inconclusive.· They suggested a public investment programme which could be planned ahead to counteract the fall in private investment during a slump.· But long-term private investment in the production of high-quality tradable goods and services is essential for long-term success.
· At the private investor level, the use of offshore centres is almost limitless.· In addition to the inherited Banrural loans still to be repaid, new debt was encouraged by the state and private investors.· Even private investors of modest means can use offshore centres for tax referral.· The rest goes to private investors.· All this will effect the private investor in two ways.· By precisely how much we shall see when we come to look at the attempts to sell them to private investors.· But private investors reacted quickly by buying equities in the small hours of yesterday morning.· Furthermore, private investors can not trade shares on terms even approaching those available to fund managers.
· He is also pledging his private jet and everything else his family owns.· You needed the private jets in Washington.· How can a private jet be cheaper than a train?· McCain has made four campaign trips in Paxson's private jet in the past few months.· Immediately after the gig Jon Bon Jovi flew back to London on the private jet he arrived in just seven hours earlier.· And happiness is ... a romantic tycoon with his own private jet.· He flies in a private jet from concert to concert.
· Other companies in sectors such as oil and communications must also have way-leaves for work they want to carry out on private land.· Even Aristotle complained that communal property always looked worse than private lands.· Hunt stewards are trying to force the saboteurs off private land on to a public footbath.· The proposed forest-saving initiative is likely to include the following provisions: Ban clear-cutting on private land.· None of this applies to private land, because anyone is free to seek permission from any landowner.· There is no large-scale effort to stamp out the fires because, in most cases, they are burning on private land.· Then again, the pillbox was on private land so maybe that hadn't been a problem.· I do agree with Mr. Findlay that the public should be prepared to pay for access to private land.
· The essence of a private law employment relationship is a mutual obligation to engage in an economic exchange of labour in return for remuneration.· There is no private law firm where the defeated candidates can retire.· The first, the Digest, was the classical Roman private law of the jurists.· Rather we should begin by asking why we have a distinction between public and private law.· The question of whether, as a matter of private law, individual solicitors were entitled to a pay-out, was irrelevant.· That composite duty is either a private law duty or a public law duty.· Public law can, of course, be contrasted with private law.· Three examples will illustrate the importance of deciding whether a particular activity ought to be regulated by public law or private law.
· If Max knew about Modigliani's private life then all Montparnasse would soon be seething with the story.· Individuals were encouraged to relate politics to every aspect of their public and private lives.· The effects of alcohol misuse spill over from private life into the workplace, causing inefficiency and accidents as well as absenteeism.· Where I sense more intrusion into my private life?· One has no private life when you take to the boards.· Any relevant details from her private life.· It was as well that she did because she had forfeited most of her private life for the sake of her chosen career.· Every member of staff has a private life which should be respected?
· He was less inclined to be so, it seemed, about private matters.· That is strictly a private matter between a priest and a sinner.· Officials there are believed to be dealing with it as a private matter.· Child-rearing is considered a private matter, and there is no intervention unless a child is abused or neglected.· Boy sensed that this was a private matter, something to think about but not talk about.· Some organizations consider their employment policies to be a private matter of contract between the company and its employees.· On the one hand, bringing up children is seen as a purely private matter.· Abortion was a private matter between them and their daughters in Seven Sisters schools.
· Occasionally governments assist private members with their Bills, particularly by allowing extra parliamentary time.· But this is not the main point: more important would be the effect on private members.· A moment's reflection will show that it would make private members more independent.
· Will the investment in new wagons be justified by private operators or leasing companies given the uncertainty of the market?· Get private operators on the railway and everything will work just fine.· The brief experience of Stagecoach, the only private operator running regular passenger services, has been mixed.· Nearly all Britain's hazardous waste is handled by private operators.· But private operators can turn profits only if prices rise radically and rapidly.· One of them, set up by six private operators, runs 80 cinemas that meet international standards.· Fifteen states have passed laws enabling private operators to run roads and railways: the state of Washington did so last month.· The state expected to raise US$3,500 million from the divestment of its controlling shares to private operators.
· In most developing countries, private ownership is already the rule.· The market-based economies and private ownership in Western democracies make an essential difference in the scope and application of the centralization concepts.· The main characteristics of capitalism are private ownership of capital and freedom of enterprise.· He also proposed a referendum on private ownership of land.· And yet private ownership is basic to freedom.· The second step in recreating a market economy is to restore private ownership of capital.· It is not enough simply to suggest justifications for the existence of private ownership.
· How is the free-market economy to be reconciled with continued large-scale tax concessions for house mortgages and private pensions?· President Clinton is also tinkering with private pension plans to finance his own social agenda.· Their ambitions were to own their own homes and have private pensions.· The Clinton administration also has been looting the $ 3. 5 trillion private pension system.· Despite the spread of private pensions, 75 percent of pensioners lived on less than £3,500 a year.· He is comparing the state pension in this country with the cumulative state and private pensions abroad.· One in six own shares; most now have private pensions.· We will protect private pensions, and increase the basic state pension, making it payable as of right without means testing.
· Articles which are available in commerce or industry may well include a period in private practice.· When he returned to private practice, he had taken in his son James as his partner.· This latter point was supported by a small number of respondents from private practice.· Among the other clients Ruff has represented in private practice are Sen.· However, a private practice background, either during or after articles, is no bar to subsequent progress in local government.· In addition, a small but growing number of music therapists work in private practice.· So, as a lawyer in private practice seeking to win new business, what does this mean for you?· In my view, the lawyers in private practice are, on the whole, bright and devious.
· The city is subsidizing private property managers to renovate and buy 200 city-owned apartment buildings.· Runtal lived much of his life in labor camps on private property, but never in Agbayani Village.· The town fields might well be private property and held by only half-a-dozen farmers.· The setting could be a riverbank on private property.· However I've been told there is no law of trespass as long as there is due consideration to private property.· It starts in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and runs into private property on the mountain that is about to be developed.· The dig is on private property.
· An obvious example is education, where a child attends either a state school or a private school.· Like tuition, teacher credentials and class size vary widely at private schools.· In this very poor country, private school fees are beyond the means of much of the population.· In other cases, schools escort students back and forth from their private schools to public classrooms.· At ten she was awarded a choral scholarship to a private school in London.· Some are run by private schools or firms, on contract with school districts.· After an education in private schools, he became a laboratory assistant at the Runcorn Soap & Alkali Co.· Alistair had graduated private school at seventeen, not brilliantly, but not badly either.
· Nominally he merely continued as parliamentary private secretary to Law at the Treasury.· Lorna ... Al Moore's girl, Brimmer's most trusted and very private secretary.· With her were only her private secretary and the ever-present detective.· He sent his private secretary down the corridor to see Sir Norman Brook to ask if they could be provided.· In 1976 Cardinal Hume appointed the then Father Crowley as his private secretary.· A sealed package had arrived from Mars: a copy of the files Karr had taken from Berdichev's private secretary.· Berowne's private secretary spoke after the manner of his kind.
· Overall, the value of new commissions in the private sector fell by 23 percent.· The business population Businesses constitute the second major aggregate of the private sector.· The focus of this will be the expansion of sales to the private sector and to selected overseas markets.· The two now do for the private sector what they used to do for Communist Party leaders.· We have two private sector initiatives.· I would say that the private sector would be decisive in the long term.· Washington could best use its limited resources in attempts to mobilize the private sector.
· Without undervaluing the private sphere itself, we can still say that this arrangement works to the advantage of men.· They were seen instead as being naturally subject to their husbands and necessarily confined to the private sphere.· Women used their supposedly greater spirituality as a further justification for transcending the confines of the private sphere.· For most people, identity derives from the private sphere, not from work and public affairs.· The private sphere becomes the natural home of modern man.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- But I sensed they were getting along fine and easy-sharing private jokes and the like.
- But Sir Thomas liked riddles and his own private jokes.
- He turned away as we entered, shoulders shaking as if relishing some private joke.
- His private joke is annoying me.
- Melford, now he had tasted blood, seemed to be revelling in some private joke.
- They were laughing into each other's faces at some private joke; they hadn't seen me.
- Throughout they appeared to be sharing some private joke.
- We feel like a family, with private jokes to share, a history.
- But these things aren't for public consumption.
- Far from it, what they say for public consumption appears to be at odds with what they are saying privately.
- Most of its contents was judged too personal-and possibly too politically sensitive-for public consumption.
- This Government talks tough for public consumption but has no stomach for action.
- Those on the right endorse the first half of the argument but not the second, at least for public consumption.
- When the media found out, his private exercise of his personal beliefs became a subject for public consumption.
- Private sector housing is just too expensive for low-income families in the city at the moment.
- Increasingly, researchers are seeking funds from the private sector.
- The government is now turning to the private sector for alternative ways of dealing with the country's transportation problems.
WORD FAMILYnounprivacyprivateprivatizationadjectiveprivateverbprivatizeadverbprivately
1not for the public for use by one person or group, not for everyone OPP public: Morris has a private jet. He made some notes for his private use. Many communists objected to any form of private property.2not government [only before noun] not related to, owned by, or paid for by the government OPP public: a private hospital There is private ownership of property in a market economy. private educationgo private British English (=pay for medical treatment instead of getting it free at a public hospital)3for 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.4secret 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.5not 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.6not 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.7quiet place quiet and without a lot of people: Why don’t we go upstairs where it’s more private?8person [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.9private joke a joke made between friends, family members etc that other people do not understandTHESAURUSprivate 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 togetherinnermost [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 somebody’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.’private1 adjectiveprivate2 noun
privateprivate2 noun EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- But unlike her workmates her privates were threatened in other quarters.
- The private was the nest of domestic virtues: the public was the arena of prostitution, of vice on the streets.
- The same Southern private wrote graphically of another problem he and his comrades had to contend with, that of body lice.
- The victim was a 21-year-old Army private.
Longman Language Activatorprivate thoughts and feelings
not for other people to know about: · We all have our private dreams, fantasies and secrets. · Guy had to obey his superiors, no matter what his private thoughts on the matter.· Brian had an irritating habit of saying, "It'll be fine!", whenever she mentioned any of her private fears.keep something private: · Clarence refused to comment on the state of his marriage, saying, it "is a private matter which we'd like to keep private."
your secret thoughts and feelings are ones that you never show and never tell anyone else about: · I had a secret ambition to return to politics.secret hopes/fears/desires etc: · Psychologists say that dreams can reveal our secret desires.· Williams' diaries reveal all his secret hopes and fears.
very private, and usually concerned with your relationships, sexual feelings etc: · Some people see nothing wrong with appearing on a TV show, and revealing their most intimate thoughts.· They held hands, walked along the beach, and shared intimate secrets. intimate details: · You do not expect to see the most intimate details of your marriage splashed across the pages of the newspapers.
your personal thoughts and feelings are ones that you feel deeply, and do not usually tell other people about: · I'm not going to tell you that - it's personal!personal feelings/thoughts/problems: · She felt her problems were too personal to talk about.· In those days it was socially unacceptable for men to cry in public, or to express their personal feelings.
: innermost feelings/thoughts/secrets/desires etc feelings, thoughts etc that are very important to you, but that you do not like to talk to other people about: · He's not the kind of person to reveal his innermost secrets, even to his closest friends.· She works with emotionally disturbed people, teaching them to express their innermost feelings through poetry.
private conversations and letters between yourself and another person, and not to be listened to or seen by anyone else: · He keeps his private papers locked away in the top drawer of his desk.· You shouldn't be listening to a private conversation!· The book contains extracts from his diary and private letters.
personal letters and papers concern only yourself and are not for other people to read: · I'm sorry but my diary is personal. I don't let anyone else read it.· There was a letter on Sarah's desk marked "personal".
intimate conversations etc are very private and usually concerned with your relationships, sexual feelings etc : · Some of the author's intimate correspondence was published after her death.· I saw that Brian was having an intimate conversation with an attractive young woman, and so I left quietly.
not connected with work or public life use this about things that are not connected with your work, which only concern you, your family, or close friends: · The senator's relationship with her family is a private matter - why put it on the front page of The Post?private/personal life: · The newspapers are full of stories about the private lives of famous people.· She had worked with Bill for 5 years, but she knew nothing of his personal life.personal relationship: · Dave was very successful in business, but always had problems in his personal relationships.personal call/phone call/letter: · If you must make personal phone calls at work, please keep them short.personal problem: · There are counsellors at the college to help students with personal problems.
concerning your life at home, especially with your family, and not your business or work: · Domestic problems are affecting his work.· History books do not tell us much about the domestic lives of our ancestors.· It can be difficult for people with domestic responsibilities to work late at night.
when you are alone and other people cannot hear or see you when you are able to be alone, and not be heard or seen by other people: · The problem with open plan offices is that you don't have any privacy.· The condo was beautiful, and they had plenty of privacy, with a hot tub in a little private garden.respect somebody's privacy (=let someone have some privacy): · The press has been asked to respect the privacy of the Royal Family during this very difficult time.invade somebody's privacy (=to upset or annoy someone by not allowing them to have privacy): · Her husband's colleagues kept coming to the house, invading her privacy, and expecting food and drinks.in the privacy of your own room/home etc (=in a place where you can have some privacy): · I waited until I was in the privacy of my own room before I opened the letter.
a private place is one in which you can be alone without anyone hearing you or seeing what you are doing: · I've got something to tell you. Can we go somewhere private?· The garden's very private - it's not overlooked by anyone.
if you do something in private , you do it when other people are not present: · Can I speak to you in private for a minute?
unwilling to talk to other people about yourself a private person is one who likes being alone and does not talk much about their thoughts or feelings: · Lou's a very private person - I don't know anything about her family.· Brando is a private man who almost never gives interviews to the press.
British /keep to yourself American to not spend much time with other people and not talk much with other people, especially about your personal feelings or opinions: · Mrs Jackson, a widow who kept herself to herself, lived in the flat above.· Until he got used to his new school, Davy kept to himself and almost never spoke to the other children.
what you say to tell someone that something is private use this to tell someone, who has asked you about something private, that you think they have no right to ask you: · "I don't care what you think, and anyway it's none of your business," she said rather rudely.· "Where did you get the money?" "That's my business."it's none of your business what/where/how etc: · It's none of your business how much I earn.
say this when someone is asking questions about your private life that you do not want to answer: · "Where did you sleep last night?" "Mind your own business."· I wish you'd stop interfering and mind your own business.
not controlled by the government a private school, hospital etc is not one that is owned by the government and that you must pay money to use: · Private hospitals can afford to pay much higher salaries than state-run hospitals.· The government plans to sell part of the railway network to private investors.· Do you think the teaching in private schools is better than in state schools?
: commercial TV/radio/channel a television or radio company that gets its money from advertising: · Most European countries have a mixture of commercial and state-run television.· Denmark's first commercial channel went on air on June 1, 1987.· the most popular commercial radio station in London
not owned or paid for by the government: · Robin worked for one of the largest independent television companies.· Local companies and industries have been helping independent schools by providing buildings and equipment.
all the industries and services that are not owned or paid for by the government: · The government is now turning to the private sector for alternative ways of dealing with the country's transportation problems.private sector spending/housing/finance etc: · Private sector housing is just too expensive for low-income families in the city at the moment.
the economic system in which industries, factories etc are owned and controlled by private companies and not by the government: · Sweden has always had a mixture of private enterprise and state control in its economy.· Margaret Thatcher tried to encourage private enterprise by selling off Britain's nationalized industries.· Even in the United States, free enterprise is subject to government controls.
to make a public company or organization private if a government privatizes a government-controlled industry, service, or company, it sells it to private owners, who then manage it for their own profit: · Hungary has been very keen to privatize its major industries, following the democratic reforms of 1988.· Employees of the Strathtay bus company, which has been privatized, are concerned that drivers are about to be made redundant.
WORD SETSadjutant, nounarmoured, adjectivebarracks, nounbasic training, nounbatman, nounbattalion, nounbearskin, nounbillet, nounbillet, verbbombardier, nounbooty, nounbrigade, nounbrigadier, nounbrigadier-general, nouncadet, nouncanteen, nouncantonment, nouncapture, verbcavalry, nouncavalryman, nouncenturion, nouncharger, nounchevron, nounCol., colonel, nouncommand, nouncommando, nouncommissary, nouncompany, nouncontingent, nouncorps, noundesert, verbdeserter, noundesertion, noundetachment, noundetail, noundisengage, verbdishonourable discharge, noundivision, noundivisional, adjectivedog tag, noundraft, verbdragoon, noundrill, noundrill, verbdugout, nounencampment, nounexpeditionary force, nounfield marshal, nounfiring squad, nounfive star general, nounflank, nounfoot locker, nounforay, nounfour-star general, nounfusilier, noungarrison, noungarrison, verbGen., general, noungeneralship, nounGI, noungrenadier, nounground forces, noungrunt, nounguardsman, noungunner, nounhussar, nouninduct, verbinductee, nouninfantry, nouninfantryman, nounirregular, nounlance corporal, nounlegion, nounlegionary, nounlegionnaire, nounLieut, loot, nounLt., man-at-arms, nounmatériel, nounMC, nounmedic, nounmercenary, nounmess hall, nounMIA, nounM.O., nounmobilize, verbmotorized, adjectivemounted, adjectivemusketeer, nounmuster, nounnon-commissioned officer, nounobstacle course, nounparade, verbparade ground, nounparatrooper, nounparatroops, nounpennon, nounpicket, nounpicket, verbpip, nounplatoon, nounpoint man, nounposition, nounprivate, nounprivate soldier, nounPte, redcoat, nounregiment, nounregular, nounreservist, nounreveille, nounroute march, nounsapper, nounsarge, nounsignalman, nounsoldier, nounsoldiering, nounsoldierly, adjectivesoldier of fortune, nounsoldiery, nounsortie, nounsortie, verbspecial forces, nounsquad, nounsquaddy, nounstaff sergeant, nounstandard-bearer, nounstormtrooper, nounsubaltern, nounTerritorial Army, the, trench, nountroop, nountrooper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He owns a private jet. the decline in standards of personal morality The authorities are protectors of public morality. a private operator running regular passenger services The company was returned to private ownership in mid-1987. The two sides have been engaged in a bitter private vendetta.
· What’s your home address?
(=things that are personal and not for other people to know about)· He never discussed his private affairs in public.
(=owned by someone, so you need permission to use it)· The hotel has its own private beach.
· Have a confidential chat with the school nurse.
(=an ordinary citizen without a public position)· Laws exist to protect private citizens.
(=a person rather than a business)· There are more than 200 stockbroking firms eager to take on private clients.
(=not paid for by the government)· Fees at private clinics are usually very high.
(=belonging to a person rather than a museum, gallery etc)· Many of the paintings are now in private collections.
(=not owned by the government)· There are many tiny private companies.
· She later agreed to the publication of parts of her personal diary.
(=given by individual people)· Other funds are coming from private donations.
(=that people have to pay for)· I don't agree with the principle of private education.
· She is one of the richest women in Britain, with an estimated personal fortune of £90 million.
(=owned by a private person)· The portrait was to be sold to a private gallery in the United States.
(=one owned by someone)· It was a residential neighborhood of private houses.
(=a person, not a company or business)· Few shares in the company are owned by private individuals.
(=investment by private individuals)· Public expenditure in declining areas will attract future private investment.
He owns a private jet. (=that only a few people who are involved in something will understand)· After I’d worked there a while, I started to understand some of the inside jokes.
(=a lesson specially for one person rather than for a class)· He gave private lessons in mathematics at the weekends.
(=for one person to read and nobody else)· He accused her of reading his private mail.
· We never spoke about personal matters.
(=that only a few people are allowed to go to)· The senator attended a private meeting with the president.
the decline in standards of personal morality The authorities are protectors of public morality. (=a very bad situation that affects only one person)· His personal nightmare began when he was arrested for murder.
a private operator running regular passenger services The company was returned to private ownership in mid-1987. (=one that you arrange with a private pension company)· The percentage of the workforce with a private pension has declined.
· He flew to Vegas in his private plane.
· The land on the other side of the gate is private property.
· The victim's widow is considering a private prosecution.
(also a public school British English) (=a school where students pay to study)· He was educated at a private school.
(=businesses that the government does not control)· Generally speaking, employees in the private sector are well rewarded.
· After the war, women refused to return quietly to the private sphere.
· She asked if she could have a private talk.
(=a vehicle that you own and drive)· 77 percent of respondents in the survey had regular access to private transport.
The two sides have been engaged in a bitter private vendetta.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► privatesPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Can I speak to you in private for a minute?
- I'd rather talk about it with you in private, if you don't mind.
- But these things aren't for public consumption.
- Far from it, what they say for public consumption appears to be at odds with what they are saying privately.
- Most of its contents was judged too personal-and possibly too politically sensitive-for public consumption.
- This Government talks tough for public consumption but has no stomach for action.
- Those on the right endorse the first half of the argument but not the second, at least for public consumption.
- When the media found out, his private exercise of his personal beliefs became a subject for public consumption.
- Private sector housing is just too expensive for low-income families in the city at the moment.
- Increasingly, researchers are seeking funds from the private sector.
- The government is now turning to the private sector for alternative ways of dealing with the country's transportation problems.
WORD FAMILYnounprivacyprivateprivatizationadjectiveprivateverbprivatizeadverbprivately
1in private without other people being present: I need to speak to you in private.2[countable] a soldier of the lowest rank3privates [plural] informal private parts