Private | Mean of private in English Dictionary

/ˈpraɪvət/

• for the use of a single person or group
1. a private beach/club/property
2. He returned to the country on his private [=personal] jet.
3. It was the first time many had seen works from the artist's private collection.
4. a room with a private bath [=a bathroom that is not shared between several rooms]
• not relating to a person's official position or job
1. At work he was always very serious, but in his private life, he was actually very funny and relaxed.
• not known by the public or by other people
1. private dealings/meetings
2. Please keep all my personal information private.
3. They shared a private joke. [=a joke only understood by the few people who know what it refers to]

• not telling others about yourself
1. He's a very private person.
• away from other people
1. Let's go somewhere private.
2. They were sitting in a private corner of the restaurant.
• not holding a public or elected office
1. private individuals
2. a private citizen
• not paid for or controlled by the government
1. tax policies to encourage private industry
2. a private hospital/college
3. The mayor hired a private contractor rather than using city workers to do the job.
• not having stocks traded on the open market
1. a private company
• involving or done with a single person rather than a group
1. She had years of private piano study/lessons.
2. private students [=students who are given private lessons]
• Noun
• a person of the lowest rank in the U.S. or British Army or the U.S. Marines
• out of the sight and hearing of other people
1. We would like to speak to you in private. [=privately]
2. The group always met in private.