privacy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighFormal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “privacy” mean?
The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people; freedom from public attention.
The state of being free from intrusion into or interference with one's personal matters, data, or affairs. It can also refer to a person's right to control access to their personal information and to be left alone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Pronunciation. British English uses /ˈprɪv.ə.si/ (PRIV-uh-see). American English uses /ˈpraɪ.və.si/ (PRY-vuh-see).
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of a fundamental right and personal autonomy. In the US, it is often discussed in the context of Constitutional law. In the UK, it's often linked to concepts of reserve and personal space.
Frequency
Equally frequent and central in both varieties due to technological and legal discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “privacy” in a Sentence
respect [someone's] privacyinvade [someone's] privacyvalue [one's] privacya breach of privacyin the privacy of [one's] own homeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “privacy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No direct verb form. Use 'to make private' or 'to privatise' (different meaning).
American English
- No direct verb form. Use 'to protect privacy' or 'to privatize' (different meaning).
adverb
British English
- No direct adverb. Use 'privately'.
- They met privately to discuss the matter.
American English
- No direct adverb. Use 'privately'.
- The data is handled privately and securely.
adjective
British English
- She drew the privacy curtains.
- He sought a privacy screen for his laptop.
American English
- She closed the privacy blinds.
- They installed a privacy fence in the yard.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to data protection laws (GDPR, CCPA), customer data handling, and corporate privacy policies.
Academic
Discussed in law, philosophy, sociology, and computer science regarding ethical frameworks, human rights, and information security.
Everyday
Used when discussing social media settings, wanting time alone, or not wanting to share personal details.
Technical
In computing, refers to protocols for secure communication, encryption, and anonymizing data (e.g., privacy-enhancing technologies).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “privacy”
- Mispronunciation by non-natives (e.g., /pri:ˈvæs.ɪti/). Using as a plural countable noun (*'I need some privacies'). Confusing with 'private' (adj) or 'privately' (adv).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily an uncountable noun (e.g., 'value your privacy'). In some technical or legal contexts, a plural form 'privacies' can be found, but it is rare in everyday use.
The first vowel. British: /ˈprɪv.ə.si/ (as in 'prison'). American: /ˈpraɪ.və.si/ (as in 'private' or 'price').
'Privacy' is a broader right to be free from intrusion. 'Confidentiality' is a specific duty to protect and not disclose information that has been shared in trust (e.g., by a doctor or lawyer). All confidential information is private, but not all private matters are covered by confidentiality agreements.
No, the adjective is 'private'. 'Privacy' is sometimes used attributively in compound nouns (e.g., privacy law, privacy campaigner), but in these cases, it still functions as a noun modifying another noun.
The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people.
Privacy is usually formal to neutral in register.
Privacy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɪv.ə.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpraɪ.və.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A man's home is his castle (relating to domestic privacy)”
- “Behind closed doors”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PRIVATE island – PRIV-acy is your own private space, away from others.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIVACY IS A PHYSICAL SPACE (invade my privacy, breach of privacy). PRIVACY IS A POSSESSION (give up your privacy, right to privacy).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase refers to a serious violation of someone's personal life?