Private
adjective/noun
Definition
1. (adjective) Belonging to or intended for one person or a small group, not for everyone — the opposite of public.
2. (adjective) Not connected to the government or the state — owned or run independently.
3. (adjective) Relating to personal matters that you do not want to share with others.
4. (noun) A soldier of the lowest rank in the army.
2. (adjective) Not connected to the government or the state — owned or run independently.
3. (adjective) Relating to personal matters that you do not want to share with others.
4. (noun) A soldier of the lowest rank in the army.
Context Alive
You move into a new flat and the first thing you notice is that the walls are really thin. You can hear your neighbours talking, their TV, even their phone calls. You start feeling like you have no private space at all. You buy noise-cancelling headphones and start spending more time at the library just to get some peace. Everyone needs a place where they can be alone with their thoughts.
Meanings
4 meanings 1 For One Person or Group, Not Public (Adjective) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about something that belongs to or is meant for a specific person or group — not open to everyone. Imagine a beach with a sign that says "Private — no public access" — only the people who own the land can use it. This is describing something that is restricted, exclusive, or personal. You might see "private parking" in front of a building that only residents can use, or someone could say "this is a private event, you need an invitation to get in". Or picture a celebrity who buys a private island so they can escape from the public eye. The word suggests a clear boundary between who is allowed and who is not.
✏️ Private is one of the most flexible adjectives in English. A private room, a private conversation, a private jet — the core idea is always the same: not for everyone, only for certain people. The opposite is "public," and you will often see them used side by side: "Is this public or private?"
2 Not Government-Owned (Adjective) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about businesses, organisations, or services that are not run by the government. Imagine choosing between a state-run hospital and a private clinic — the private one is independently owned and usually charges fees. This is describing the ownership structure, not the quality. You might hear "she went to a private school" meaning a school funded by fees, not the government, or a news report could say "the railway was sold to private companies in the 1990s". Or think about someone who works for a private security firm instead of the police — same kind of work, different employer. The word draws a line between state-controlled and independently run.
✏️ The private sector means all businesses not owned by the government, and the public sector means government organisations. This is one of the most important uses of the word in business and economics. "Private healthcare," "private education," "private enterprise" — these are everyday phrases in news and politics.
3 Personal and Not to Be Shared (Adjective) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about things you keep to yourself — personal feelings, information, or matters you do not want others to know about. Imagine someone asking you about your salary and you say "I'd rather keep that private" — you are drawing a line around your personal business. This is describing information or feelings that are nobody else's concern. You might say "that's a private matter between me and my family", or someone could say "she is a very private person" about someone who does not share much about their life. Or picture a celebrity who refuses to answer questions about their relationships, saying their love life is private. The word suggests a personal boundary that should be respected.
✏️ Calling someone a "private person" is not negative — it simply means they do not share much about their personal life. It is often used with respect. In British culture especially, being private is often seen as a positive quality. "Keep something private" and "in private" are two of the most common phrases with this meaning.
4 The Lowest Military Rank (Noun) Low ▼
This meaning refers to a soldier at the lowest rank in the army. Imagine a young recruit who has just finished basic training — they are now a Private and will follow orders from sergeants, lieutenants, and everyone above them. This is describing a specific position in the military hierarchy. You might hear "Private Johnson, report to the commanding officer" in a war film, or a history book could say "he enlisted as a private and rose to the rank of captain by the end of the war". Or picture a group of new soldiers standing in line on their first day — they are all privates, the starting point of a military career. The word is used as both a rank and a title.
✏️ As a military rank, Private is used with a capital letter before a name: "Private Smith." It is the entry-level rank in most English-speaking armies. You will hear it constantly in war films and military dramas. The abbreviation is Pvt. or Pte. depending on the country.
Common Patterns
Adjective Patterns
private + noun → the standard pattern — describes what is restricted or personal
They held the meeting in a private room away from the main office.
keep something private → to not share information with others
She asked me to keep her plans private until the announcement.
in private → away from other people, not in public
Can we talk about this in private? I don't want everyone to hear.
Common Structures
a private person → someone who does not share much about their personal life
He is a very private person and rarely talks about his family.
private sector / private enterprise → businesses not owned by the government
She left the public sector to work in private enterprise.
private property → land or buildings owned by individuals, not the public
The sign on the gate said "Private Property — No Trespassing."
Collocations
10 collocationsprivate life
a person's personal affairs outside of work or public view
private property
land or buildings owned by a person or company, not the public
private sector
the part of the economy not controlled by the government
private school
a school funded by fees rather than the state
private conversation
a talk meant only for the people involved
private matter
a personal issue that is nobody else's business
private healthcare
medical services provided outside the state system
in private
away from other people, behind closed doors
private jet
a personal aircraft not for public use
private information
personal data that should not be shared freely
Example Sentences
10 examples
1
This is a private conversation — could you give us a minute, please?
This talk is just between us — would you mind stepping out for a moment?
2
She sent her children to a private school because she wanted smaller class sizes.
She chose a fee-paying school for her kids because she preferred fewer students per class.
3
He is a very private person and never posts anything on social media.
He keeps to himself and does not share anything about his life online.
4
The company operates in the private sector and receives no government funding.
The firm is independently run and does not get any money from the state.
5
I would prefer to discuss this in private rather than in front of the whole team.
I would rather talk about this behind closed doors, not with everyone watching.
6
The beach is private property and visitors are not allowed without permission.
The beach belongs to someone and you cannot go there unless the owner says yes.
7
Her private life became public after the tabloids published photos of her family.
Her personal affairs were exposed when the newspapers printed pictures of her relatives.
8
Private healthcare can be expensive, but the waiting times are usually much shorter.
Non-state medical care costs more, but you normally get seen much faster.
9
He started as a Private in the army and eventually became a colonel.
He began his military career at the lowest rank and worked his way up to colonel.
10
Please keep this information private — it has not been officially announced yet.
Please do not share this with anyone — it has not been made public yet.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymspersonal
focuses on belonging to one person — less about restriction, more about ownership
confidential
stronger — implies the information must be protected and not shared
exclusive
emphasises that access is limited to a select group
Antonymspublic
open to everyone, not restricted — the direct opposite
shared
available to or used by more than one person or group
open
accessible to all, with no barriers or restrictions