What does privacy mean?
Definitions for privacy
ˈpraɪ və si; Brit. also ˈprɪv ə sipri·va·cy
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word privacy.
Princeton's WordNet
privacy, privateness, seclusionnoun
the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
privacy, privateness, secrecy, concealmentnoun
the condition of being concealed or hidden
Wiktionary
privacynoun
The state of being private; the state of not being seen by others.
I need my privacy, so please mind your own frigging business!
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Privacynoun
Etymology: from private.
Clamours our privacies uneasy make,
Birds leave their nests disturb’d, and beasts their haunts forsake. Dryden.You see Frog is religiously true to his bargain, scorns to hearken to any composition without your privacy. Arbuthnot.
Wikipedia
Privacy
Privacy (UK: , US: ) is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves, and thereby express themselves selectively. Etymology of the word privacy: the word privacy is derived from the Latin word "privatus" which means set apart from what is public, personal and belonging to oneself, and not to the state.The domain of privacy partially overlaps with security, which can include the concepts of appropriate use and protection of information. Privacy may also take the form of bodily integrity. The right not to be subjected to unsanctioned invasions of privacy by the government, corporations, or individuals is part of many countries' privacy laws, and in some cases, constitutions. The concept of universal individual privacy is a modern concept primarily associated with Western culture, particularly British and North American, and remained virtually unknown in some cultures until recent times. Now, most cultures recognize the ability of individuals to withhold certain parts of personal information from wider society. With the rise of technology, the debate regarding privacy has shifted from a bodily sense to a digital sense. As the world has become digital, there have been conflicts regarding the legal right to privacy and where it is applicable. In most countries, the right to a reasonable expectation to digital privacy has been extended from the original right to privacy, and many countries, notably the US, under its agency, the Federal Trade Commission, and those within the European Union (EU), have passed acts that further protect digital privacy from public and private entities and grant additional rights to users of technology. With the rise of the Internet, there has been an increase in the prevalence of social bots, causing political polarization and harassment. Online harassment has also spiked, particularly with teenagers, which has consequently resulted in multiple privacy breaches. Selfie culture, the prominence of networks like Facebook and Instagram, location technology, and the use of advertisements and their tracking methods also pose threats to digital privacy. Through the rise of technology and immensity of the debate regarding privacy, there have been various conceptions of privacy, which include the right to be let alone as defined in "The Right to Privacy", the first U.S. publication discussing privacy as a legal right, to the theory of the privacy paradox, which describes the notion that users' online may say they are concerned about their privacy, but in reality, are not. Along with various understandings of privacy, there are actions that reduce privacy, the most recent classification includes processing of information, sharing information, and invading personal space to get private information, as defined by Daniel J. Solove. Conversely, in order to protect a user's privacy, multiple steps can be taken, specifically through practicing encryption, anonymity, and taking further measures to bolster the security of their data.
ChatGPT
privacy
Privacy is a state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people. It pertains to the individual's right to keep their personal matters and information undisclosed or secret, protecting one's personal details, behaviors, communications, or preferences from public view or unauthorized access. It can also relate to issues of confidentiality, anonymity, and data protection within both physical and digital spaces.
Webster Dictionary
Privacynoun
the state of being in retirement from the company or observation of others; seclusion
Privacynoun
a place of seclusion from company or observation; retreat; solitude; retirement
Privacynoun
concealment of what is said or done
Privacynoun
a private matter; a secret
Privacynoun
see Privity, 2
Etymology: [See Private.]
Wikidata
Privacy
Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively. The boundaries and content of what is considered private differ among cultures and individuals, but share basic common themes. Privacy is sometimes related to anonymity, the wish to remain unnoticed or unidentified in the public realm. When something is private to a person, it usually means there is something within them that is considered inherently special or personally sensitive. The degree to which private information is exposed therefore depends on how the public will receive this information, which differs between places and over time. Privacy partially intersects security, including for instance the concepts of appropriate use, as well as protection of information. Privacy may also take the form of bodily integrity. The right not to be subjected to unsanctioned invasion of privacy by the government, corporations or individuals is part of many countries' privacy laws, and in some cases, constitutions. Almost all countries have laws which in some way limit privacy; an example of this would be law concerning taxation, which normally require the sharing of information about personal income or earnings. In some countries individual privacy may conflict with freedom of speech laws and some laws may require public disclosure of information which would be considered private in other countries and cultures. Privacy may be voluntarily sacrificed, normally in exchange for perceived benefits and very often with specific dangers and losses, although this is a very strategic view of human relationships. Academics who are economists, evolutionary theorists, and research psychologists describe revealing privacy as a 'voluntary sacrifice', for instance by willing participants in sweepstakes or competitions. In the business world, a person may volunteer personal details in order to gamble on winning a prize. Personal information which is voluntarily shared but subsequently stolen or misused can lead to identity theft.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Privacy
prī′va-si, or priv′-, n. state of being private or retired from company or observation: a place of seclusion: retreat: retirement: secrecy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Privacy
The state of being free from intrusion or disturbance in one's private life or affairs. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed, 1993)
Editors Contribution
privacy
Having our private life respected.
Their privacy was important to them both.
Submitted by MaryC on January 10, 2020
privacy
The official right for a person to control and manage with personal authority the access to their personal data, information, computers, laptops, apps, server, devices, network, online accounts or handheld device.
Privacy in life is a legislative right as our life is our privacy, we have freedom of expression and have the right to privacy.
Submitted by MaryC on April 12, 2020
Matched Categories
British National Corpus
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'privacy' in Nouns Frequency: #2893
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
- 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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of privacy in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of privacy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4
Examples of privacy in a Sentence
If this turns out to be the opinion of Supreme Court and it's issued, it could have a major impact on the outcome of this election, when you go to an issue as fundamental as privacy and an individual's right to privacy, control of their bodies and their ability to make their own decision and Supreme Court just basically eliminates it, it is certainly a mobilizing factor in the next election.
Being okay with the middle seat, especially on a long flight, is an exercise in acceptance and willingness to allow what is be what is, if you’re able to give up your privacy and your autonomy, and realize it’s just a moment in time that will pass, you’re probably the most enlightened passenger on the plane.
We are determined to do whatever is necessary to protect the data, privacy and rights of our nation, we will never allow digital fascism and disregard of rules to prevail in Turkey.
I once found a deserted beach in California at Big Sur and spent the afternoon nude and enjoying the sea and privacy.
If others in your work area become exposed, your component management will work to have appropriate alerts and precautions taken, with requisite safeguards for everyone's privacy.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for privacy
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- خصوصية, سرية, خلوةArabic
- privacitat, privadesaCatalan, Valencian
- soukromíCzech
- Ruhe, Privatsphäre, ZurückgezogenheitGerman
- privatecoEsperanto
- intimidadSpanish
- حریم خصوصیPersian
- yksityisyysFinnish
- intimité, vie privéeFrench
- פרטיותHebrew
- एकांतHindi
- pribadiIndonesian
- privacy, intimitàItalian
- グライバシーJapanese
- ಗೌಪ್ಯತೆKannada
- 사생활Korean
- गोपनियताNepali
- afzondering, privacyDutch
- prywatnośćPolish
- intimidade, privacidadePortuguese
- прайвеси, секретность, приватность, конфиденциальность, уединениеRussian
- avskildhet, privatlivSwedish
Get even more translations for privacy »
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"privacy." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 11 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/privacy>.
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