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   public

   /ˈpʌblɪk/

   adjective

   • 1. of or concerning the people as a whole: "public concern" Similar populargeneralcommoncommunalcollectivesharedjointuniversalwidespread
   • ▪ open to or shared by all the people of an area or country: "a public library" Similar open (to the public)communalnot privatenot exclusiveaccessible to allavailablefreeunrestrictedcommunityOpposite privaterestricted
   • ▪ of or involved in the affairs of the community, especially in government or entertainment: "he was forced to withdraw from public life" Similar prominentwell knownin the public eyeleadingimportanteminentpre-eminentrecognizeddistinguishednotablenoteworthynotedoutstandingforemostof markillustriouscelebratedfamousrenownedacclaimedfamedhonouredesteemedrespectedwell thought ofinfluentialprestigiousOpposite obscureunknown
   • 2. done, perceived, or existing in open view: "he wanted a public apology in the " Similar knownwidely knownovertplainobviousin circulationpublishedpublicizedexposedOpposite secret
   • 3. of or provided by the state rather than an independent, commercial company: "public spending" Similar statenationalfederalgovernmentconstitutionaldemocraticciviccivilofficialsocialmunicipalcommunitylocalcommunalnationalizedstate-ownedurbanmetropolitanOpposite private
   • 4. of, for, or acting for a university: British "public examination results"

   noun

   • 1. ordinary people in general; the community: "the library is open to the public" Similar peoplecitizenssubjectsgeneral publicelectorselectoratevoterstaxpayersresidentsinhabitantscitizenrypopulationpopulacecommunitysocietycountrynationworldeveryoneratepayers
   • ▪ a section of the community having a particular interest or connection: "the reading public"
   • ▪ the people who watch or are interested in an artist, writer, or performer: informal "some famous last words to give my public" Similar audiencespectatorsconcertgoerstheatregoersfollowersfollowingfansdevoteesaficionadosadmirerspatronsclientelemarketconsumersbuyerscustomersreadersinformal:buffsfreaks
   • 2. short for public bar or public house British

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin publicus, blend of poplicus ‘of the people’ (from populus ‘people’) and pubes ‘adult’.

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • P

     3

   • U

     1

   • B

     3

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

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