public
adjective OPAL W
/ˈpʌblɪk/
/ˈpʌblɪk/
Idioms - [only before noun] connected with ordinary people in society in general
- The campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the issues.
- Levels of waste from the factory may be a danger to public health.
- Public safety must come first.
- Why would the closure of hospitals be in the public interest (= useful to ordinary people)?
- The government had to bow to public pressure.
- [only before noun] provided, especially by the government, for the use of people in general
- a public education system
- a public library
- [only before noun] connected with the government and the services it provides
- public money/spending/funding
- He spent much of his career in public office (= working in the government).
- (British English) the public purse (= the money that the government can spend)
- The rail industry is no longer in public ownership (= controlled by the government).
- Schools are worried about public spending cuts.
- known to people in general
- Details of the government report have not yet been made public.
- a public figure (= a person who is well known because they are often on the television, radio, etc.)
- She entered public life (= started a job in which she became known to the public) at the age of 25.
- This latest scandal will not have done their public image (= the opinion that people have of them) any good.
- open to people in general; intended to be seen or heard by people in general
- There is a ban on smoking in public places.
- A public meeting to discuss the issue will be held tomorrow night.
- The company was forced to issue a public apology.
- The painting will be put on public display next week.
- This may be the band's last public appearance together.
- The reception and other public areas have been refurbished.
- where there are a lot of people who can see and hear you
- Let's go somewhere a little less public.
of ordinary people
for everyone
of government
seen/heard by people
place
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, from Latin publicus, blend of poplicus ‘of the people’ (from populus ‘people’) and pubes ‘adult’.
Idioms
be common/public knowledge
- to be something that everyone knows, especially in a particular community or group
- Their relationship is common knowledge.
go public
- to tell people about something that is a secret
- A court order failed to stop her going public with the story.
- (of a company) to start selling shares on the stock exchange
in the public eye
- well known to many people through television, newspapers, the internet, etc.
- She doesn't want her children growing up in the public eye.