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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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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   PRIVATE definition: 1. only for one person or group and not for everyone: 2. Private activities involve personal…. Learn more.

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › private

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   The meaning of PRIVATE is intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class. How to use private in a sentence.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryPRIVATE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   PRIVATE meaning: 1. only for one person or group and not for everyone: 2. Private activities involve personal…. Learn more.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › private

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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. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishPRIVATE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   PRIVATE definition: 1. only for one person or group and not for everyone: 2. controlled by or paid for by a person or…. Learn more.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishprivate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   not owned/run by state. [usually before noun] owned or managed by an individual person or an independent company rather than by the state. a private firm/business/hospital. The painting is now in a private collection. a former soldier working in private security.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › PrivatePrivate - definition of private by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › Private

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   a. Belonging to a particular person or persons, as opposed to the public or the government: private property. b. Of, relating to, or derived from nongovernment sources: private funding. c. Conducted and supported primarily by individuals or groups not affiliated with governmental agencies or corporations: a private college; a private sanatorium. d.

9. 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.

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

    www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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    If you describe a place as private, or as somewhere where you can be private, you mean that it is a quiet place and you can be alone there without being disturbed. It was the only reasonably private place they could find.

11. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishprivate adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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    private. adjective. /ˈpraɪvət/ not public. [usually before noun] belonging to or for the use of a particular person or group; not for public use The sign said, “Private property. Keep out.” Those are my father's private papers. The hotel has 110 bedrooms, all with private bathrooms. The villa has its own private beach.