private vs. public

Main Entry: private

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: personal, intimate

Synonyms:  closet, confidential, discreet, exclusive, hushed, independent, individual, inside, nonpublic, not open, off the record, own, particular, privy*, reserved, secret, separate, special, under one's hat, unofficial

Antonyms: open, public, sociable

* = informal/non-formal usage

Main Entry: private

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: hidden, isolated

Synonyms: concealed, discreet, quiet, removed, retired, secluded, secret, separate, sequestered, solitary, withdrawn

Antonyms: open, revealed, unconcealed

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public

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: community, general

Synonyms: accessible, city, civic, civil, common, communal, conjoint, conjunct, country, federal, free, free to all, government, governmental, intermutual, metropolitan, municipal, mutual, national, not private, open, open-door, popular, social, state, universal, unrestricted, urban, widespread, without charge

Antonyms: particular, private, specific

Main Entry: public

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: known, acknowledged

Synonyms: exposed, general, in circulation, notorious, obvious, open, overt, patent, plain, popular, prevalent, published, recognized, social, societal, usual, vulgar, widespread

Antonyms: private, unknown

Main Entry: public

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: people of community; people interested in something

Synonyms: audience, bodies, buyers, citizens, clientele, commonalty, community, country, electorate, everyone, followers, following, heads, masses, men and women, mob, multitude, nation, patrons, people, populace, population, society, suite, supporters, voters