private

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈpraɪvət/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive private

Comparative more private

Superlative most private

1. Private is for only one person or a small number of people to see or know.

   I don't want to tell you how much money I have; that's private.

   Close the curtains so people can't look into our house, to make it private.

Related words

• privacy

Noun

Singular private

Plural privates

1. A private is a soldier in the lowest rank of the army.

   Put down your gun, private, and report to the general.