private Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an enlisted man of the lowest rank in the Army or Marines
    common soldier; buck private.
    • our prisoner was just a private and knew nothing of value
  2. adjective confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
    • a private place
    • private discussions
    • private lessons
    • a private club
    • a private secretary
    • private property
    • the former President is now a private citizen
    • public figures struggle to maintain a private life
  3. adjective satellite concerning things deeply private and personal
    • private correspondence
    • private family matters
  4. adjective satellite concerning one person exclusively
    individual.
    • we all have individual cars
    • each room has a private bath
  5. adjective satellite not expressed
    secret.
    • secret (or private) thoughts

WordNet

Pri"vate adjective
Etymology
L. privatus apart from the state, peculiar to an individual, private, properly p. p. of privare to bereave, deprive, originally, to separate, fr. privus single, private, perhaps originally, put forward (hence, alone, single) and akin to prae before. See Prior, a., and cf. Deprive, Privy, a.
Definitions
  1. Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person, company, or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary.
  2. Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer.
    Reason . . . then retires Into her private cell when nature rests. Milton.
  3. Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life. Shak.
    A private person may arrest a felon. Blackstone.
  4. Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding.
  5. Having secret or private knowledge; privy. Obs. also, a road on private land, contrasted with public road. Kent.
Pri"vate noun
Definitions
  1. A secret message; a personal unofficial communication. Obs. Shak.
  2. Personal interest; particular business.Obs.
    Nor must I be unmindful of my private. B. Jonson.
  3. Privacy; retirement. Archaic "Go off; I discard you; let me enjoy my private." Shak.
  4. One not invested with a public office. Archaic
    What have kings, that privates have not too? Shak.
  5. (Mil.) A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a noncommissioned officer. Macaulay.
  6. pl. The private parts; the genitals.

Webster 1913