privacy
the state of being apart from other people or concealed from their view; solitude; seclusion: Please leave the room and give me some privacy.
the state of being free from unwanted or undue intrusion or disturbance in one's private life or affairs; freedom to be let alone: Tourists must respect the tribe’s privacy.Those who wish to smoke can do so in the privacy of their own homes.: See also invasion of privacy.
freedom from damaging publicity, public scrutiny, secret surveillance, or unauthorized disclosure of one’s personal data or information, as by a government, corporation, or individual: Ordinary citizens have a qualified right to privacy.There is so much information about us online that personal privacy may be a thing of the past.
the state of being concealed; secrecy: Before he told us of his plans, he insisted on total privacy.
Usually privacies .Archaic. a personal matter that is concealed; a secret.
Archaic. a private or secluded place.
Origin of privacy
1synonym study For privacy
Isolation and sequestration generally signify physical separation. In contrast to privacy and secrecy, which are usually sought by the individuals involved, isolation and sequestration are often imposed by others. For example, a vulnerable medical patient might be kept in isolation to protect him from acquiring an infection through contact with others, or a prisoner might be placed in isolation —that is, in solitary confinement—as punishment for an infraction. Sequestration can refer to things as well as to people, and is most often used to specify separation in technical or legal contexts: Carbon sequestration in the coal industry can potentially alleviate the problem of global warming; Sequestration of the jury she was serving on kept her away from her family for weeks; Until its leaders comply with international agreements, sequestration of that nation's overseas bank accounts will remain in effect.
One wants to keep one's secrets secret, and as well, keep many aspects of one's life private. But the ability of powerful corporations, government intelligence agencies, online stores, social media, or even individual thieves to reach and probe into our personal communications, buying habits, financial resources, circle of friends, and general lifestyle poses threats to one's privacy. Fortunately, for most people, reasonable precautions are usually enough to allow them to engage in normal activities without great worry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use privacy in a sentence
But a life-altering invasion of personal privacy is nothing like a trip on the steps at the Dolby Theatre.
Jennifer Lawrence Shouldn’t Laugh Off Her Nude Photo Hack | Samantha Allen | September 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut today the World Wide Web presents a serious threat to personal privacy, Wozniak said.
Steve Wozniak: Snowden ‘Is a Hero Because This Came From His Heart’ | Lloyd Grove | June 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTFor champions of personal privacy, it looks as if there are few allies in Washington.
The opponents generally believe that CISPA encroaches too greatly on personal privacy.
We want to ensure our ability to cripple criminal activity while preventing intrusions into our personal privacy.
Just like most other couples do since Rhine Institute made it difficult to find personal privacy.
Highways in Hiding | George Oliver SmithI have a morbid passion for personal privacy and a standing quarrel with the blundering publicities of the age.
The Letters of Henry James (volume I) | Henry James"Of course, my dear, I shan't expect to intrude upon your personal privacy any more than I did before," he said gravely.
Jude the Obscure | Thomas HardyBut I felt that she prized and guarded her own personal privacy.
Warren Commission (9 of 26): Hearings Vol. IX (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President KennedyHe doesn't like to intrude on anyone's personal privacy at all, I mean, the least little bit.
Warren Commission (9 of 26): Hearings Vol. IX (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
British Dictionary definitions for privacy
/ (ˈpraɪvəsɪ, ˈprɪvəsɪ) /
the condition of being private or withdrawn; seclusion
the condition of being secret; secrecy
philosophy the condition of being necessarily restricted to a single person
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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