privacy

privacy — noun

1. the right to decide how much of your personal information, activities, or relati

1.nounB2
Definition

the right to decide how much of your personal information, activities, or relationships other people are allowed to know about or share with others

Example

The new photo app requests access to my contacts, which worries me about my privacy.

privacy concern triggered by app permissions

Journalists should respect the privacy of ordinary people who are not public figures.

respect someone's privacy

Common collocations
  • right to privacy
  • invade someone's privacy
  • respect someone's privacy
  • privacy policy
  • privacy settings
  • privacy rights
  • medical privacy
  • data privacy
Synonyms
  • confidentiality

    more formal; focuses specifically on information being kept secret by agreement or law, not on a person's general right

  • secrecy

    broader and less legal; can imply hiding information even when there is no right to do so

Antonyms
  • publicity

    the state of being known about by many people

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun

Usage Note

Often used in legal, technology, and healthcare contexts. Frequently appears in compound nouns like 'privacy policy', 'privacy law', and 'privacy settings'.

Common Mistakes

The company keeps customer data in privacy.
The company keeps customer data private.
'in privacy' is not a natural English phrase; use the adjective 'private' instead.
I value my privacies.
I value my privacy.
privacy is uncountable in this sense and does not take a plural form.

2. a situation in which you are away from other people so that you are not seen, he

2.nounB1
Definition

a situation in which you are away from other people so that you are not seen, heard, or interrupted by anyone

Example

After a long week, Yael enjoys a quiet evening at home with some privacy.

enjoy some privacy

The mountain cabin offered total privacy, with no neighbours or roads in any direction.

offer / provide privacy

Common collocations
  • some privacy
  • enjoy privacy
  • have privacy
  • complete privacy
  • total privacy
  • need privacy
  • want privacy
Synonyms
  • solitude

    more literary; suggests being completely alone by choice, often for reflection or peace

  • seclusion

    more formal; suggests being hidden or shut away from others, often for a longer time

  • isolation

    can have a negative tone; suggests being cut off from others, possibly against your will

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun

often used with 'some'

Usage Note

This sense describes a physical or social condition rather than a legal right. 'Some privacy' is a very common phrase — e.g. 'I just need some privacy for a few minutes.'

Common Mistakes

I need a privacy to focus on my reading.
I need some privacy to focus on my reading.
privacy is uncountable and cannot follow 'a'.