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Antonyms for private

Grammar : Adj, noun
Spell : prahy-vit
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpraɪ vɪt

Definition of private

Origin :
  • late 14c., "pertaining or belonging to oneself, not shared, individual; not open to the public;" of a religious rule, "not shared by Christians generally, distinctive; from Latin privatus "set apart, belonging to oneself (not to the state), peculiar, personal," used in contrast to publicus, communis; past participle of privare "to separate, deprive," from privus "one's own, individual," from PIE *prei-wo-, from PIE *prai-, *prei-, from root *per- (1) "forward, through" (see per).
  • Old English in this sense had syndrig. Private grew popular 17c. as an alternative to common (adj.), which had overtones of condescention. Of persons, "not holding public office," recorded from early 15c. In private "privily" is from 1580s. Related: Privately. Private school is from 1650s. Private parts "the pudenda" is from 1785. Private enterprise first recorded 1797; private property by 1680s; private sector is from 1948. Private eye "private detective" is recorded from 1938, American English.
  • adj personal, intimate
  • adj hidden, isolated
  • noun lowest rank of person enlisted in armed service
Example sentences :
  • The morning after his arrival, Artaphernes had a private audience with his royal master.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • In the private car the little party was beginning its own journey Eastward.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Mr. Davis, may I ask the favor of a few minutes' conversation with you in private?
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Fouts, with a slip of paper in his hand, beckoned him from the door of his private office.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • And noo, Captain Smith, let me say a word in your private ear.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • You are recommended, Miss, to the practice of your private devotions.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • He gives his ambassador a sum on which a private gentleman can live, and no more.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • But can you, my dear Miss Howe, condescend to carry on a private correspondence with me?
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • Sarah agreed briskly, and she hurried on toward the private office.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Turning his head, he saw it was James Danby, an owner, sitting in his private box.
  • Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

Synonyms for private

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019