privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

especially British ˈpri-

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being apart from company or observation : seclusion

b

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion

one's right to privacy

2

a

: secrecy

b

: a private matter : secret

3

archaic : a place of seclusion

Synonyms of privacy

• solitude
• isolation

Examples of privacy in a Sentence

She went upstairs for some privacy.

Celebrities have a right to privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maxim voiced frustration that repairs weren’t happening quickly enough and resentment at the intrusion on his privacy as workers came in and out. —Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

More than 50 years after its release, The Conversation’s alarmist attitude towards privacy concerns is still valid. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026

Once Venus enters Leo, love moves closer to home, stirring questions around comfort, family, privacy and who gets access to your personal life. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

Each seat came equipped with a storage compartment, charging ports, a foldout table, and a frosted privacy divider tucked into the armrest, making the setup felt like a private little suite in the sky. —Jalyn Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing privacy

• invade someone's privacy
• invasion of (someone's) privacy

Kids Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being out of the sight and hearing of other people : seclusion

the privacy of the home

b

: freedom from being intruded upon

one's right to privacy

2

: secrecy sense 2

talk in privacy

Legal Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion : state of being let alone and able to keep certain especially personal matters to oneself see also expectation of privacy, invasion of privacy, privacy interest at interest sense 3b, right of privacy, Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade