private
12 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRIVATE
[more private; most private]
1
:
for the use of a single person or group
:
belonging to one person or group
:
not public
-
a private beach/club/property
-
He returned to the country on his private [=personal] jet.
-
It was the first time many had seen works from the artist's private collection.
-
a room with a private bath [=a bathroom that is not shared between several rooms]
2
:
not relating to a person's official position or job
-
At work he was always very serious, but in his private life, he was actually very funny and relaxed.
3
a
:
not known by the public or by other people
:
secret
-
private dealings/meetings
-
Please keep all my personal information private.
-
They shared a private joke. [=a joke only understood by the few people who know what it refers to]
b
:
not telling others about yourself
:
keeping your personal information secret
-
He's a very private person.
4
:
away from other people
:
out of the sight and hearing of other people
-
Let's go somewhere private.
-
They were sitting in a private corner of the restaurant.
5
always used before a noun
:
not holding a public or elected office
-
private individuals
-
a private citizen
6
a
:
not paid for or controlled by the government
-
tax policies to encourage private industry
-
a private hospital/college
-
The mayor hired a private contractor rather than using city workers to do the job.
b
:
not having stocks traded on the open market
7
:
involving or done with a single person rather than a group
-
She had years of private piano study/lessons.
-
private students [=students who are given private lessons]
— privately
adverb-
a privately held/owned company
-
The two leaders met privately to discuss trade policy.
2
private
/ˈpraɪvət/
noun
plural
privates
2
private
/ˈpraɪvət/
noun
plural
privates
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRIVATE
1
[count]
:
a person of the lowest rank in the U.S. or British Army or the U.S. Marines
2
in private
:
out of the sight and hearing of other people
:
in a private place
-
We would like to speak to you in private. [=privately]
-
The group always met in private.
