private

Meant to be seen or known by only one person or a few people.

• That information is private.
• They had a private conversation after lunch.
• Please keep this message private.

How to use it: keep something private (Please keep my phone number private.)

Similar words: confidential, secret

Opposites: public

Common phrases: private conversation, private information, keep something private, private message

Owned or provided by a person or company rather than the government.

• She works for a private company.
• They sent their son to a private school.
• Private hospitals charge patients for treatment.

Similar words: privately owned, independent

Opposites: public, state-owned

Common phrases: private company, private sector, private school, private hospital

Connected with someone’s personal life rather than their work or public duties.

• His private life is quiet.
• She keeps her private affairs separate from work.
• He attended the meeting as a private citizen.

Similar words: personal

Opposites: public, official

Common phrases: private life, private affairs, private citizen, private journal

A soldier with the lowest rank in an army.

• He joined the army as a private.
• The sergeant gave orders to the privates.
• She was promoted from private to corporal.

Common phrases: army private, young private, private soldier

A lesson in which a teacher works with just one student.

• I booked a private with my dance teacher.
• She takes two privates a week to improve her ballet.
• How much does a private cost?

Similar words: private lesson, individual lesson

Common phrases: book a private, take a private, weekly private