private
gb/pɹˈaɪvɪt/ us/pɹˈaɪvɪt/
A2
English
~ 700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Not open to the public
For one person or group only, not for everyone.
Usage pattern:
a private [place/event/conversation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'private' with 'personal'; 'private' usually means restricted access, while 'personal' means related to oneself.
Synonyms
exclusive (Emphasizes restricted access, often implying high status.)
Antonyms
public (Open and accessible to everyone.)
Collocations
private property
|private conversation
|private life
|private meeting
|private room
Themes
daily life
|privacy
|society
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hotel has a private beach for guests only.
- They held a private meeting to discuss the merger.
- I need to make a private phone call.
Learner examples
- This is my private room.
- We had a private talk.
- The garden is private.
adjective
B1
property
2
About personal life
About your own life, not work or public things.
Usage pattern:
private [life/matters/feelings]
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'secret' instead of 'private', but 'secret' implies intentional hiding, while 'private' just means personal.
Synonyms
personal (Focuses more on individual identity and experiences.)
Antonyms
public (Concerning things known or shared by many people.)
Collocations
private life
|private feelings
|private matters
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She doesn't like to talk about her private life in interviews.
- He kept his private feelings to himself.
- These are private matters between friends.
Learner examples
- I don't talk about my private life.
- She keeps her private feelings secret.
- This is a private matter.
adjective
B1
property
3
Owned by individuals, not government
Owned by a person or company, not the government.
Usage pattern:
private [company/business/school]
Synonyms
independent (Stresses freedom from government control.)
Antonyms
public (Owned or run by the government.)
Collocations
private company
|private sector
|private school
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
Examples
- He works for a private company in the tech sector.
- Private schools often have smaller class sizes.
- The private sector is growing quickly.
Learner examples
- I work for a private company.
- She goes to a private school.
- This hospital is private.
adjective
A2
property
4
For one person's use only
Only for one person to use.
Usage pattern:
a private [bathroom/office/car]
Synonyms
personal (Focuses on belonging to one person specifically.)
Antonyms
shared (Used by more than one person.)
Collocations
private bathroom
|private office
|private parking
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The suite includes a bedroom with a private bathroom.
- He enjoys having a private office at work.
- Guests have access to a private parking area.
Learner examples
- I have a private bathroom.
- She has a private office.
- This car is private.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
5
Lowest army rank soldier
A soldier with the lowest job in the army.
Synonyms
soldier (General term; does not specify rank.)
Collocations
army private
|promoted from private
Themes
military
|politics
Examples
- Private Johnson reported for duty at 0600 hours.
- He joined the army as a private and worked his way up.
- The sergeant ordered the privates to line up.
Learner examples
- He is a private in the army.
- The private stands with other soldiers.
- Private Lee is young.
Grammar
Dictionary form
private
IPA
GB/pɹˈaɪvɪt/
US/pɹˈaɪvɪt/
Syllables & stress
private (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (private)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: private
Noun
- Base: private
- Plural: privates
Word family
Expressions
go private
1/ɡˈoʊ pɹˈaɪvɪt/
fixed phrase
Change to private ownership/funding
To change from being run by the government to being run by a person or company.
Examples
- The company decided to go private after years on the stock market.
- Some schools have gone private due to funding cuts.
keep something private
1/kˈip sˈʌmθɪŋ pɹˈaɪvɪt/
fixed phrase
Not share information publicly
To not tell other people about something.
Examples
- I prefer to keep my finances private.
- She kept the news private until she was ready.
private parts
1/pɹˈaɪvɪt pˈɑɹts/
fixed phrase
Genital organs of the body
The sexual parts of your body that are usually covered by clothes.
Examples
- Teach children that no one should touch their private parts without permission.
- He felt embarrassed when the doctor examined his private parts.
in private
1/ˈɪn pɹˈaɪvɪt/
fixed phrase
away from other people
when other people cannot see, hear, or join; not in public
Examples
- They spoke in private about the issue.
- They argued loudly in public but later apologized in private.
- Please tell me in private if there’s a problem.
- If you have any questions, please ask me in private after class.
- The couple preferred to keep their problems in private.