Private vs. Privacy — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 17, 2023
"Private" denotes something restricted to specific persons or not publicly known, while "Privacy" refers to the state of being free from unsanctioned intrusion.
Difference Between Private and Privacy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Private" is an adjective describing something as belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group, not available to others. In contrast, "Privacy" is a noun that signifies the state or condition of being free from observation or disturbance by other people.
"Private" can refer to situations, items, or places restricted from general use or knowledge. "Privacy", however, focuses on the quality or state of being secluded from the presence or view of others.
When we describe something as "Private", it means that thing isn't intended for public consumption. On the other hand, when we discuss someone's "Privacy", we're addressing their right to keep personal matters and information undisclosed.
Both "Private" and "Privacy" emphasize the notion of keeping something away from the public eye, but "Private" often refers to tangible things or specific situations, while "Privacy" is more about a general concept or right to seclusion.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
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Refers to
Specific things, places, or situations.
A general state or condition.
Related to
Restriction from the public or general use.
Right to seclusion and freedom from intrusion.
Examples
Private property, private school.
Expectation of privacy, invasion of privacy.
Use in Sentences
Describes a noun (e.g., private room).
Stands as a noun (e.g., right to privacy).
Compare with Definitions
Private
Designed or intended for one's exclusive use
A private room.
Privacy
The state of being free from public attention.
Celebrities often crave privacy.
Private
Concerning an individual's personal affairs.
That's a private matter between them.
Privacy
Freedom from interference or intrusion.
The curtains provided some privacy from neighbors.
Private
Serving in a military rank below a corporal.
The private followed his sergeant's orders.
Privacy
Confidentiality of personal matters.
She told me in the strictest privacy.
Private
Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group of people only
His private plane
All bedrooms have private facilities
Privacy
A person's right to control their personal information.
Online platforms must respect user privacy.
Private
(of a person) having no official or public role or position
The paintings were sold to a private collector
Privacy
Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves, and thereby express themselves selectively. When something is private to a person, it usually means that something is inherently special or sensitive to them.
Private
(of a service or industry) provided or owned by an individual or an independent, commercial company rather than the state
This research was carried out by private industry
Privacy
A state in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people
She returned to the privacy of her own home
Private
The lowest rank in the army, below lance corporal or private first class.
Privacy
The quality or condition of being secluded from the presence or view of others
I need some privacy to change into my bathing suit.
Private
Short for private parts
Privacy
The state of being free from public attention or unsanctioned intrusion
A person's right to privacy.
Private
Secluded from the sight, presence, or intrusion of others
A private hideaway.
Privacy
(uncountable) The state of being secluded from the presence, sight, or knowledge of others.
I need my privacy, so please stay out of my room.
Private
Of or confined to the individual; personal
A private joke.
Private opinions.
Privacy
(uncountable) Freedom from unwanted or undue disturbance of one's private life.
It takes a village to rob one of a sense of privacy.
Private
Undertaken on an individual basis
Private studies.
Private research.
Privacy
(uncountable) Freedom from damaging publicity, public scrutiny, surveillance, and disclosure of personal information, usually by a government or a private organization.
Privacy is assumed by many to be among common-law rights.
Private
Of, relating to, or receiving special hospital services and privileges
A private patient.
Privacy
A place of seclusion.
Private
Not available for public use, control, or participation
A private club.
A private party.
Privacy
A relationship between parties seen as being a result of their mutual interest or participation in a given transaction, contract etc.
Private
Belonging to a particular person or persons, as opposed to the public or the government
Private property.
Privacy
(obsolete) Secrecy.
Private
Of, relating to, or derived from nongovernment sources
Private funding.
Privacy
A private matter.
Private
Conducted and supported primarily by individuals or groups not affiliated with governmental agencies or corporations
A private college.
A private sanatorium.
Privacy
The state of being in retirement from the company or observation of others; seclusion.
Private
Enrolled in or attending a private school
A private student.
Privacy
A place of seclusion from company or observation; retreat; solitude; retirement.
Her sacred privacies all open lie.
Private
Capitalized in shares of stock that are held by a relatively small number of owners and are not traded on the open market
A private company.
A company that went private.
Took a company private.
Privacy
Concealment of what is said or done.
Private
Not holding an official or public position
A private citizen.
Privacy
A private matter; a secret.
Private
Not for public knowledge or disclosure; secret
Private papers.
A private communication.
Privacy
See Privity, 2.
Private
Not appropriate for use or display in public; intimate
Private behavior.
A private tragedy.
Privacy
The quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
Private
Placing a high value on personal privacy
A private person.
Privacy
The condition of being concealed or hidden
Private
A noncommissioned rank in the US Army or Marine Corps that is below private first class.
Privacy
Seclusion or isolation.
He went to the mountains seeking privacy.
Private
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Private
Privates Private parts. Often used with the.
Private
Belonging to, concerning, or accessible only to an individual person or a specific group.
Her address is private; you can't have it.
Private papers
Private
Not accessible by the public.
Private property
Private
Not in governmental office or employment.
He quit public life, living quietly as a private citizen.
Private
Not publicly known; not open; secret.
The identity of the beneficiaries of the trust is private.
Private
Protected from view or disturbance by others; secluded.
Can we go somewhere more private?
Private
Not traded by the public.
Private corporation
Private
Secretive; reserved.
He is a very private person.
Private
Not shared with another patient.
Private
Accessible only to the class itself or instances of it, and not to other classes or even subclasses.
Private
A soldier of the lowest rank in the army.
Private
A doctor working in privately rather than publicly funded health care.
Private
The genitals.
Private
(obsolete) A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
Private
(obsolete) Personal interest; particular business.
Private
(obsolete) Privacy; retirement.
Private
(obsolete) One not invested with a public office.
Private
A private lesson.
If you want to learn ballet, consider taking privates.
Private
To make something hidden from the public (without deleting it permanently).
Private
Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person, company, or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary.
Private
Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer.
Reason . . . then retiresInto her private cell when nature rests.
Private
Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life.
A private person may arrest a felon.
Private
Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding.
Private
Having secret or private knowledge; privy.
Private
A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
Private
Personal interest; particular business.
Nor must I be unmindful of my private.
Private
Privacy; retirement.
Private
One not invested with a public office.
What have kings, that privates have not too?
Private
A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a noncommissioned officer.
Private
The private parts; the genitals.
Private
An enlisted man of the lowest rank;
Our prisoner was just a private and knew nothing of value
Private
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
Concerning things deeply private and personal;
Private correspondence
Private family matters
Private
Concerning one person exclusively;
We all have individual cars
Each room has a private bath
Private
Not expressed;
Secret (or private) thoughts
Private
Belonging to a specific person or entity.
That is her private notebook.
Private
Not open to the general public.
They attended a private event.
Private
Not holding an official or public position.
He's a private citizen.
Common Curiosities
Is "Private" always used as an adjective?
Primarily, "Private" is an adjective, but it can also be a noun in military contexts, referring to a rank.
Is "Privacy" a fundamental human right?
Many believe and argue that "Privacy" is a fundamental human right, and it's recognized as such in numerous international treaties.
Can "Private" refer to thoughts?
Yes, one can have private thoughts, meaning they are not shared with others.
Can a room be labeled "Private"?
Yes, if the room is intended for specific individuals and not for general access, it's a private room.
Can a school be "Private"?
Yes, a private school is funded by private means and not by the public.
Can "Private" refer to a business entity?
Yes, a company not publicly traded is termed a private company.
Can "Privacy" refer to both physical and digital spaces?
Yes, "Privacy" can refer to both physical seclusion and digital data protection.
What's the opposite of "Private" in terms of property?
The opposite would be "Public", as in public property.
Is confidentiality synonymous with "Privacy"?
They're related, but not exact. Confidentiality often pertains to specific information, while "Privacy" is broader.
How does "Privacy" relate to the internet?
"Privacy" online pertains to how personal data is used, stored, and shared.
How does "Privacy" relate to laws?
Various laws globally aim to protect individual privacy in different contexts, like data protection or personal freedom.
Can a conversation be "Private"?
Yes, a private conversation is intended only for the parties involved.
Is "Privacy" always desired?
While many value privacy, it's subjective. Some might willingly forgo certain privacies for other benefits.
Can "Private" describe a personal opinion?
Yes, someone can have a private opinion, not openly expressed.
What does "invasion of Privacy" mean?
It refers to unsolicited interference or intrusion into someone's personal matters or space.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
