privately B2 Topic:People & Society US /ˈpɹaɪvɪtli/ See IPA manual Freq #9109 Meanings 1 adv In a way that is secret or only between the people directly involved. She told me privately that she was planning to resign. 2 adv By a person or company rather than by the government. The railway is now privately owned. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · in a way that is secret or... in private ↔ Opposites publicly Etymology AI details From private + -ly. Topics People & Society External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # privately **Type:** Word **Level:** B2 **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /ˈpɹaɪvɪtli/ **Frequency rank:** 9109 ## Meanings 1. In a way that is secret or only between the people directly involved. 2. By a person or company rather than by the government. ## Examples - She told me privately that she was planning to resign. - The railway is now privately owned. ## Antonyms - publicly ## Etymology From private + -ly. ## AI Etymology Privately comes from private + -ly. In present-day English it covers in a way that is secret or only between the people directly involved and by a person or company rather than by the government. ## Topics - People & Society markdown