confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy; a private place; private discussions; private lessons; a private club; a private secretary; private property; the former President is now a private citizen; public figures struggle to maintain a private life'
private (adj.)
an enlisted man of the lowest rank in the Army or Marines; our prisoner was just a private and knew nothing of value
[ Syn: buck private , common soldier ]
private (n.)
concerning things deeply private and personal; private correspondence; private family matters'
concerning one person exclusively; we all have individual cars; each room has a private bath
[ Syn: individual ]
not expressed; secret (or private) thoughts
[ Syn: secret ]