privately

privately — adverb

1. done so that others cannot see or hear what happens, often because the matter is

1.adverbB2
Definition

done so that others cannot see or hear what happens, often because the matter is meant only for a small trusted group

Example

Adina and her lawyer met privately before the trial began.

adverb after verb: met privately

The couple's financial troubles were discussed privately among close family members.

passive: were discussed privately

Common collocations
  • privately admit
  • met privately
  • discussed privately
  • speak privately
Synonyms
  • confidentially

    emphasises that the information is secret and should not be shared

  • secretly

    stronger sense of hiding something from everyone, not just from the public

  • in confidence

    phrase suggesting the listener must not repeat what is said

Antonyms
  • publicly

    done in view of or with the knowledge of everyone

Usage Note

Can be placed either before the main verb (privately admitted) or after it (met privately) with no change in meaning.

Common Mistakes

I privately don't like spicy food.
I personally don't like spicy food.
'privately' describes secrecy from others, not a personal preference.

2. involving individual people or businesses acting on their own, without the gover

2.adverb
Definition

involving individual people or businesses acting on their own, without the government being responsible or in control

Example

The local clinic is run privately, so the government has no say in its fees.

adverb with be + past participle: is run privately

The school that Zayd attends is funded privately by parents and donors.

passive with by-phrase: is funded privately by

Common collocations
  • run privately
  • funded privately
  • owned privately
  • sold privately
Synonyms
  • independently

    focuses on freedom from outside control rather than non-government ownership

  • in the private sector

    longer formal phrase referring specifically to businesses, not individuals

Antonyms
  • publicly

    operated or funded by the government

  • state-owned

    adjective describing government ownership

Usage Note

Commonly paired with verbs of ownership, funding, or operation: owned privately, funded privately, run privately, sold privately.