private practice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, professional
Quick answer
What does “private practice” mean?
A business or professional service, typically in medicine or law, operated by an individual practitioner or small group independently of a hospital or large institution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A business or professional service, typically in medicine or law, operated by an individual practitioner or small group independently of a hospital or large institution.
The professional work of a self-employed specialist who is not a salaried employee of an organization. Often implies a direct financial relationship with clients/patients.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in British English for general practitioners (GPs). In American English, often associated with specialists (e.g., cardiologists, psychiatrists) or lawyers.
Connotations
UK: Often implies a NHS-contracted GP surgery. US: Implies fee-for-service, often outside insurance networks or as an independent consultant.
Frequency
High frequency in both professional contexts; slightly more common in UK medical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “private practice” in a Sentence
[practitioner] + runs/has/joined + a private practice[practitioner] + is + in private practiceprivate practice + of + [specialty]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “private practice” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- After years as an NHS registrar, she finally set up her own private practice in Harley Street.
- Many solicitors in smaller towns prefer the independence of a private practice.
American English
- The surgeon left the academic medical center to open a lucrative private practice.
- He built a successful private practice specializing in tax law.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the business model of a professional selling services directly.
Academic
Used in health economics, sociology of professions, and legal studies to discuss professional autonomy and market structures.
Everyday
Common when discussing a doctor's or lawyer's place of work.
Technical
In healthcare policy, contrasts with 'public practice' or 'hospital-based practice'. In law, contrasts with being a partner in a large firm.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “private practice”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “private practice”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “private practice”
- Using 'private practice' for any freelance work (e.g., a freelance graphic designer). It is specific to licensed, regulated professions. Confusing 'private practice' (noun phrase) with 'practice privately' (verb + adverb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is most common for healthcare professionals (doctors, dentists, therapists) and lawyers, but can also apply to other licensed professionals like architects, veterinarians, or accountants who work independently.
'Private practice' specifically implies a professional, client-facing service based on specific qualifications and often a regulatory body. 'Self-employed' is a broader tax and employment status covering many types of work.
Yes. Most UK GPs are technically self-employed partners in a 'private practice' that holds a contract to provide NHS services. They may also see private patients outside the NHS.
Not necessarily, but it often implies services are paid for directly by the client/patient or through private insurance, rather than being free at the point of use (like the NHS) or covered by standard employment benefits.
A business or professional service, typically in medicine or law, operated by an individual practitioner or small group independently of a hospital or large institution.
Private practice is usually formal, professional in register.
Private practice: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpraɪvət ˈpræktɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpraɪvət ˈpræktɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hang out one's shingle (US, informal for starting a private practice)”
- “Go it alone (referring to starting a private practice)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PRIVATE = personal, not public. PRACTICE = professional work. Think: 'A professional working for themselves, not the public sector.'
Conceptual Metaphor
PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY IS PRIVATE PROPERTY (e.g., 'building a practice,' 'my own practice').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'private practice' LEAST likely to be used?