in private

phrase

: not openly or in public

Examples of in private in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Beck didn’t seem to want to talk, in private or in the media, about having grown up as the child of a successful music-industry hustler — much less one who was so proudly and publicly involved with a controversial religious movement. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

In negotiations before the contract was approved, an arbitrator ruled that CPD officers, as public sector employees in a collective bargaining unit, may have their most serious disciplinary cases heard and decided in private by a third party. — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

French officials and many educators say secularism in public schools and other institutions protects less observant and nonreligious people from pressure while leaving everyone free to worship in private. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Around a dozen Velázquez paintings are still in private hands. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for in private

• semiprivate