Private vs. Special — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 21, 2024
Private refers to something intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person or group, while special denotes something that is distinguished by a unique quality or purpose.
Difference Between Private and Special
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Private refers to something that is not open to the public and is intended for a specific individual or group. For example, a private meeting involves only invited participants, ensuring confidentiality and restricted access. On the other hand, special implies that something is unique or has exceptional qualities. A special event, for instance, is organized to commemorate a unique occasion, making it stand out from regular events.
In terms of usage, private often relates to privacy and exclusivity. A private conversation is meant to be heard only by those involved, maintaining secrecy. Conversely, special often highlights significance or rarity. A special edition of a book includes features not found in the regular edition, making it more valuable or noteworthy.
When it comes to grammar, private is typically used as an adjective to describe restricted access, such as in "private property," indicating that the property is not open to the public. Special, however, is used to emphasize importance or distinctiveness, as in "special guest," suggesting the guest holds a unique status.
In social contexts, private settings are exclusive and personal. A private party is only for invited guests, ensuring a controlled environment. Special occasions, however, celebrate noteworthy achievements or milestones, such as a special award ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions.
In professional settings, private implies limited access to certain information or resources. For example, private sector jobs are those within companies not controlled by the government. Special roles or assignments often require specific skills or qualifications, such as a special task force assembled for a unique project.
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Comparison Chart
Usage Context
Restricted, exclusive
Unique, distinguished
Privacy
Ensures confidentiality
Emphasizes significance
Grammar
Adjective (e.g., private property)
Adjective (e.g., special guest)
Social Context
Personal, controlled environment
Celebratory, notable occasions
Professional Context
Limited access, non-public
Specific skills, unique qualifications
Compare with Definitions
Private
Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group.
The beach had a private section for resort guests.
Special
Belonging specifically to a particular person or thing.
He has a special place in his heart for his hometown.
Private
Intended only for the person or group concerned.
They had a private meeting to discuss the merger.
Special
Held in particular esteem or affection.
This ring is very special to me.
Private
Away from public attention.
The celebrity wanted a private wedding ceremony.
Special
Designed for a particular purpose.
The restaurant has a special menu for vegetarians.
Private
Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group of people only
His private plane
All bedrooms have private facilities
Special
Surpassing what is common or usual; exceptional
A special occasion.
A special treat.
Private
(of a person) having no official or public role or position
The paintings were sold to a private collector
Special
Distinct among others of a kind
A special type of paint.
A special medication for arthritis.
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
Special
Primary
His special satisfaction comes from volunteer work.
Private
The lowest rank in the army, below lance corporal or private first class.
Special
Peculiar to a specific person or thing; particular
My own special chair.
The special features of a computer.
Private
Short for private parts
Special
Having a limited or specific function, application, or scope
A special role in the mission.
Private
Secluded from the sight, presence, or intrusion of others
A private hideaway.
Special
Arranged for a particular occasion or purpose
A special visit from her daughter.
Private
Designed or intended for one's exclusive use
A private room.
Special
Regarded with particular affection and admiration
A special friend.
Private
Of or confined to the individual; personal
A private joke.
Private opinions.
Special
Additional; extra
A special holiday flight.
Private
Undertaken on an individual basis
Private studies.
Private research.
Special
Something arranged, issued, or appropriated to a particular service or occasion
Rode to work on the commuter special.
Private
Of, relating to, or receiving special hospital services and privileges
A private patient.
Special
A featured attraction, such as a reduced price
A special on salmon.
Private
Not available for public use, control, or participation
A private club.
A private party.
Special
A single television production that features a specific work, a given topic, or a particular performer.
Private
Belonging to a particular person or persons, as opposed to the public or the government
Private property.
Special
Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
A special episode of a television series
Private
Of, relating to, or derived from nongovernment sources
Private funding.
Special
Of particular personal interest or value; dear; beloved.
Everyone is special to someone.
Private
Conducted and supported primarily by individuals or groups not affiliated with governmental agencies or corporations
A private college.
A private sanatorium.
Special
(euphemistic) Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.
Special education, special needs
He goes to a special school.
Private
Enrolled in or attending a private school
A private student.
Special
Constituting or relating to a species.
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.
Special
Chief in excellence.
Private
Not holding an official or public position
A private citizen.
Special
(military) Of or related to unconventional warfare.
Special forces, special operations
Private
Not for public knowledge or disclosure; secret
Private papers.
A private communication.
Special
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
Private
Not appropriate for use or display in public; intimate
Private behavior.
A private tragedy.
Special
One of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price at a restaurant.
Today's special is our tuna melt on rye.
Private
Placing a high value on personal privacy
A private person.
Special
(broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.
Did you see the Christmas special?
Private
A noncommissioned rank in the US Army or Marine Corps that is below private first class.
Special
A special constable.
Private
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Special
Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
Private
Privates Private parts. Often used with the.
Special
Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
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
Special
(journalism) A correspondent; a journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
Private
Not accessible by the public.
Private property
Special
(journalism) A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
Private
Not in governmental office or employment.
He quit public life, living quietly as a private citizen.
Special
(theater) A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage.
Private
Not publicly known; not open; secret.
The identity of the beneficiaries of the trust is private.
Special
(law) A person appointed specifically to examine a single event or issue.
For the few times the U.S. Supreme Court has to actually try a case, they will appoint a special master to do so.
After the Watergate break in, a special prosecutor was appointed.
Private
Protected from view or disturbance by others; secluded.
Can we go somewhere more private?
Special
(nursing) To supervise a patient one-on-one.
Private
Not traded by the public.
Private corporation
Special
Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort.
A special is called by the schools a "species".
Private
Secretive; reserved.
He is a very private person.
Special
Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon.
Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted.
To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress.
Private
Not shared with another patient.
Special
Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.
Private
Accessible only to the class itself or instances of it, and not to other classes or even subclasses.
Special
Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.
Private
A soldier of the lowest rank in the army.
Special
Chief in excellence.
The king hath drawnThe special head of all the land together.
Private
A doctor working in privately rather than publicly funded health care.
Special
A particular.
Private
The genitals.
Special
One appointed for a special service or occasion.
Private
(obsolete) A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
Special
A special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising;
They are having a special on pork chops
Private
(obsolete) Personal interest; particular business.
Special
A dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant
Private
(obsolete) Privacy; retirement.
Special
A television production that features a particular person or work or topic;
The last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight
Private
(obsolete) One not invested with a public office.
Special
Unique or specific to a person or thing or category;
The particular demands of the job
Has a paraticular preference for Chinese art
A peculiar bond of sympathy between them
An expression peculiar to Canadians
Rights peculiar to the rich
The special features of a computer
My own special chair
Private
A private lesson.
If you want to learn ballet, consider taking privates.
Special
For a special service or occasion;
A special correspondent
A special adviser to the committee
Had to get special permission for the event
Private
To make something hidden from the public (without deleting it permanently).
Special
Surpassing what is common or usual or expected;
He paid especial attention to her
Exceptional kindness
A matter of particular and unusual importance
A special occasion
A special reason to confide in her
What's so special about the year 2000?
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.
Special
Adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose;
A special kind of paint
A special medication for arthritis
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.
Special
Having a specific function or scope;
A special (or specific) role in the mission
Private
Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or employment; as, a private citizen; private life.
A private person may arrest a felon.
Special
First and most important;
His special interest is music
She gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work
Private
Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private negotiation; a private understanding.
Special
Added to a regular schedule;
A special holiday flight
Put on special buses for the big game
Private
Having secret or private knowledge; privy.
Special
Better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual.
She received a special gift for her birthday.
Private
A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
Special
Distinctive or unique in some way.
The artist is known for her special technique.
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
Not open to the public.
He keeps his personal life very private.
Private
Confidential and not to be shared with others.
The details of the contract are private.
Common Curiosities
Is special used to describe quality?
Yes, special often describes something with exceptional quality or purpose.
Can private and special be used interchangeably?
No, they have different connotations; private refers to exclusivity, whereas special indicates uniqueness.
What is an example of a special event?
A special event could be a graduation ceremony or an anniversary party.
What is an example of a private event?
A private event could be a family gathering that is not open to outsiders.
How is special used in professional contexts?
Special in professional contexts can refer to roles or projects that require unique skills.
How is special different from private?
Special denotes uniqueness or distinction, while private emphasizes exclusivity and restricted access.
What does private mean?
Private means intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person or group.
Can private refer to ownership?
Yes, private can refer to ownership, such as in private property.
Does private imply secrecy?
Often, yes, private implies that something is not meant to be shared publicly.
What is a private sector?
The private sector consists of businesses not controlled by the government.
Does special imply rarity?
Yes, special often implies that something is rare or unique.
Is private always associated with individuals?
Not always; private can also refer to groups or organizations.
What is a special edition?
A special edition is a version of a product that includes unique features or content.
How is private used in professional contexts?
In professional contexts, private can refer to non-public sectors or confidential information.
Can something be both private and special?
Yes, for example, a private celebration for a special achievement.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
