Synonyms for private
- adjective
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Confidential
confidential, secluded, secret, hidden, close, intimate, privy, sequestered, clandestine, covert, solitary, retired, reclusive, esoteric, inward dated
2. Personal
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
Belonging or pertaining to an individual person, group of people, or entity that is not the state.
In some countries, healthcare is provided by both the government and private companies.
- adj. 2
Relating to an individual or group of individuals outside of their official roles; often, sensitive or personal.
This book is her private journal.
Example sentences
- secret Tom happened to let out the secret to his friends.
- hidden She has to keep her powers hidden from her family.
- confidential This is confidential, I can only tell him personally.
- secluded Tom told me he wanted to live on a secluded beach.
- personal In Japan, company aims come before personal goals.
- individual An individual is the smallest unit of the society.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| private | steady | |
| secret | rising | |
| hidden | rising | |
| confidential | steady | |
| secluded | rising | |
| personal | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- close1, privy2
- 6 letters
- secret2, hidden2, covert2, inward2
- 7 letters
- special2, retired2
- 8 letters
- personal3, domestic3, intimate3, solitary4, peculiar3, secluded3, esoteric4
- 9 letters
- reclusive3
- 10 letters
- individual5, particular4
- 11 letters
- clandestine3, sequestered3
- 12 letters
- confidential4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (privy2 = 2 syllables).