privateprivateprivatesadjective1for one person or a small group of people only, and not for anybody else: You shouldn't read his letters – they're private. This is private property2alone; without other people there: I would like a private meeting with the manager.3not connected with your job: She never talks about her private life at work.4not controlled or paid for by the government: a private hospitalprivate schoolsin privatealone; without other people there: Can I speak to you in private?▶ privatelyadverb: Let's go into my office – we can talk more privately there.