View synonyms for

privy

[priv-ee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

privier, priviest

participating in the knowledge of something private or secret (usually followed byto ).
Many persons were privy to the plot.
private; assigned to private uses.
belonging or pertaining to some particular person, especially with reference to a sovereign.
secret, concealed, hidden, or secluded.
acting or done in secret.

noun

plural

privies

outhouse.
Law.��a person participating directly in or having a derivative interest in a legal transaction.

privy

/ ˈ��ɪ��ɪ /

adjective

participating in the knowledge of something secret
archaic��secret, hidden, etc
archaic��of or relating to one person only

noun

a lavatory, esp an outside one
law a person in privity with another See privity

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Word History and Origins

Origin of privy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English prive, from Old French: “private” (adjective), “close friend, private place” (noun), from Latin ��ī��ٳܲ� private

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Word History and Origins

Origin of privy¹

C13: from Old French ��é something private, from Latin ��ī��ٳܲ� _private

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She said she understood the investigation was ongoing and hoped it would reach "the right outcome", although they were not privy to the investigation or any progress being made on it.

From

We are privy, for example, to the pressurized inner movement that leads Nora to realize at the end of “A Doll’s House” that she must leave her marriage to become her own person.

From

She has met Atwood on several occasions but was not privy to her thinking.

From

The Royal Trustees overseeing the grant are the prime minister, chancellor and the keeper of the privy purse, who looks after the monarch's finances.

From

Then again, when it comes to diplomacy, we are not privy to all the conversations taking place behind closed doors or to the details of possible deals under discussion.

From

priv. pr.privy chamber

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