Added 4 October 2026
private
/ˈpɹaɪ.vɪt/ adjective
In Latin: prīvātus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about private at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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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.
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Relating to an individual or group of individuals outside of their official roles; often, sensitive or personal.
This book is her private journal.
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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.
noun
verb
- To make something hidden from the public (without deleting it permanently).
Origin
From Middle English privat(e) (“individual, exclusive, private”), from Latin prīvātus (“bereaved, deprived, set apart from, release”), perfect passive participle of prīvō (“to bereave, deprive, release”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more), from prīvus (“private, one's own, proper”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per; compare prime, prior, pristine. Doublet of privy.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)