pri‧vate 1 S1 W1 / praɪvət, praɪvɪt / 形容词

1 not for the public for use by one person or group, not for everyone 反义词 public :

Morris has a private jet.

He made some notes for his private use.

Many communists objected to any form of private property .

2 not government [仅用于名词前] not related to, owned by, or paid for by the government 反义词 public :

a private hospital

There is private ownership of property in a market economy.

private education

go private British English (= pay for medical treatment instead of getting it free at a public hospital )

3 for only a few a private meeting, conversation etc involves only two people or a small number of people, and is not for other people to know about :

I need to have a private discussion with you.

Are you alone? I just wanted a private word.

4 secret private feelings, information, or opinions are personal or secret and not for other people to know about :

Jack’s private opinion was that she was selfish.

Don’t read that – it’s private.

5 not publicly known used about someone who is not known to the public or not working for the government or another organization :

a private citizen

The painting was sold to a private collector.

Seven police and three private individuals needed medical attention.

6 not work separate from and not related to your work or your official position :

The president is paying a private visit to Europe.

He enjoys everything he does in both his professional and his private life .

7 quiet place quiet and without a lot of people :

Why don’t we go upstairs where it’s more private?

8 person [仅用于名词前] a private person is one who likes being alone, and does not talk much about their thoughts or feelings :

He’s a very private man.

9 private joke a joke made between friends, family members etc that other people do not understand → privately

THESAURUS

private if something is private, you do not want most people to know about it because it concerns your feelings, your relationships etc : He didn’t want to discuss his private life. | What happens in the bedroom is strictly private.

personal relating to your private life – used especially about problems, feelings, and questions : They asked a lot of personal questions. | She talked about her own personal feelings. | I’d rather not talk about it – it’s personal. | The singer has had a lot of problems in her personal life.

secret [仅用于名词前] used about feelings and thoughts that you do not tell anyone about : Barclay had a secret desire to become an actor. | His secret fear was that Jenny would leave him.

intimate very private – used about things relating to your relationships and sexual feelings : an intimate conversation | Many people share intimate details of their lives on the Internet. | their intimate moments together

innermost [仅用于名词前] your innermost feelings, thoughts etc are your most private ones : Counselling often encourages you to reveal your innermost thoughts.

be none of sb’s business if something is none of your business, it is private and you should not ask about it : It’s none of your business how much I earn. | ‘Are you married?’ ‘That’s none of your business.’