Definitions
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adjective
Owned by a person or company, not by the government.
Examples
- In some countries, health care comes from both the state and private companies.
- The land was sold to a private buyer.
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adjective
Belonging to your own life, not your job.
Examples
- This book is her private journal.
- It was a private matter and they did not discuss it.
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adjective
Secret and meant only for certain people.
Examples
- The names of the owners are private.
- He sent a private letter to the wrong person.
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adjective
Away from other people, so no one can see or hear.
Examples
- Can we go somewhere more private?
- She found a private corner of the garden.
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adjective
Not working for the government.
Examples
- He returned to private life after leaving office.
- She works as a private citizen now.
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adjective
Not liking to share personal feelings.
Examples
- He is a very private person.
- She kept her feelings private, even from close friends.
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adjective
Not owned by the public through the stock market.
Examples
- The company remained private for ten years.
- Private firms do not sell shares on the stock market.
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adjective
In a hospital, describing a room for one patient only.
Examples
- She paid extra for a private room after the surgery.
- The hospital had only two private rooms.
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adjective
Paid for by fees and not by the government.
Examples
- He went to a private school across town.
- The clinic is private and charges for every visit.
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adjective
In computer code, describing something that can only be used inside its own class.
Examples
- The variable is private, so other classes cannot use it.
- A private method can only be called from within the same class.