private

About 105.24 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective Belonging or pertaining to an individual person, group of people, or entity that is not the state.

   In some countries, healthcare is provided by both the government and private companies.

2. adjective Relating to an individual or group of individuals outside of their official roles; often, sensitive or personal.

   This book is her private journal.

3. adjective Not publicly known or divulged; secret, confidential; intended only for a specific person or group.

   The identity of the beneficiaries of the trust is private.

4. adjective Protected from view or disturbance by others; secluded; not publicly accessible.

   Can we go somewhere more private?

5. adjective Not in governmental office or employment.

   Military secrets should not be entrusted to unreliable private individuals.

6. adjective Secretive; reserved.

   He is a very private person.

7. adjective Not traded by the public.

   private equity

8. adjective Of a room in a medical facility, not shared with another patient.

Similar words

privy nonpublic confidential secret secluded reclusive individual sequestered inward close

Often followed by

sector property and life enterprise schools ownership practice collection

Word family

privately privateness privatenesses privater privates privatest