Meaning

(now chiefly historical) Private, exclusive; not public; one's own..

Definitions by Sense

1. (now chiefly historical) Private, exclusive; not public; one's own.
2. (now rare, archaic) Secret, hidden, concealed.
3. With knowledge of; party to; let in on.
4. An outdoor facility for urination and defecation, whether open (latrine) or enclosed (outhouse).
5. A lavatory: a room with a toilet.
6. A toilet: a fixture used for urination and defecation.
7. (law) A partaker; one having an interest in an action, contract, etc. to which he is not himself a party.

Example Sentences

The king retreated to his privy chamber.

the privy purse

Nonetheless, in the dark and privy stillness of our minds there are few of us who are not still haunted by worrisome doubts.

He was privy to the discussions.

William understood Diana more but idealized her less. He was privy to her volatile love life. He knew the tabloids made her life hell, but he also knew she colluded with them.

To counteract these degrading effects he advised that the privy should be in every house the room nearest to heaven, […].

Arconum—I found two chairs wanting in the gentlemen's room, and the bath room attached applied to other purposes... the privies and urinaries clean...

Word Forms

• more privy
• most privy
• privie
• privies

Synonyms for privy

Related Words

When Should You Use Privy?

Use privy when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions