private

adjective

UK /ˈpraɪvət/

1
used only by a particular person or group, or available only to them
a private bathroom/party/plane
Synonyms and related words
Limited and limiting
limited
restricted
restrictive
1. 1a
  used about places or situations where other people cannot see or hear you
  They found a private spot where they could talk.
  It’ll be a bit more private in my office.
  Synonyms and related words
  Secret, secretive and in secret
  secret
  secretive
  surreptitious
2. 1b
  understood by only a few people, not by everyone
  a private joke
  Synonyms and related words
  Not known or difficult to know
  secret
  private
  personal
3. 1c
  a private person does not talk to other people about their personal life and their feelings
  Synonyms and related words
  Secret, secretive and in secret
  secret
  secretive
  surreptitious
2
not connected with someone’s work or their public position
The minister has been using public funds to finance private dealings.
private life:
What you do in your private life has nothing to do with your boss.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe ways of living
(as) to the manner born
austere
back-to-nature
3
businesscontrolled or owned by individual people or companies, rather than by the government
private rail companies
a private hospital
private property
Synonyms and related words
Individuality and individual
individual
one-man
personalized
4
with no position in government or public life
a private citizen
Synonyms and related words
Relating to the ordinary people
ordinary
popular
populist

phrases

go private

in private

private

adjective

US /ˈpraɪvət/

1
used only by a particular person or group, or available only to them
a private bathroom/party/plane
Synonyms and related words
Limited and limiting
limited
limiting
restricted
1. 1a
  used about places or situations where other people cannot see or hear you
  They found a private spot where they could talk.
  It’ll be a little more private in my office.
  Synonyms and related words
  Secret, secretive and in secret
  secret
  secretive
  surreptitious
2. 1b
  understood by only a few people, not by everyone
  a private joke
  Synonyms and related words
  Not known or difficult to know
  secret
  private
  personal
3. 1c
  a private person does not talk to other people about their personal life and their feelings
  Synonyms and related words
  Secret, secretive and in secret
  secret
  secretive
  surreptitious
2
not connected with someone’s work or their public position
The mayor has been using public funds to finance private dealings.
private life:
What you do in your private life has nothing to do with your boss.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe ways of living
(as) to the manner born
austere
back-to-nature
3
businesscontrolled or owned by individual people or companies, rather than by the government
a private hospital
private property
Synonyms and related words
Individuality and individual
individual
one-man
personalized
4
with no position in government or public life
a private citizen
Synonyms and related words
Relating to the ordinary people
ordinary
popular
populist

phrases

in private

private

noun countable

UK /ˈpraɪvət/

Word Forms

singular	private
plural	privates

1
the lowest rank of soldier in the army
Synonyms and related words
Miscellaneous soldiers
airman
airwoman
batman

private

noun countable

US /ˈpraɪvət/

Word Forms

singular	private
plural	privates

1
the lowest rank of soldier in the army
Synonyms and related words
Miscellaneous soldiers
airman
airwoman
bombardier

private ​‌‌‌

private ​‌‌‌

private

private

private

private