privy

[ priv-ee ]

adjective

, priv·i·er, priv·i·est.

1. participating in the knowledge of something private or secret (usually followed by to ):

   Many persons were privy to the plot.

2. private; assigned to private uses.
3. belonging or pertaining to some particular person, especially with reference to a sovereign.
4. secret, concealed, hidden, or secluded.
5. acting or done in secret.

noun

, plural priv·ies.

1. outhouse ( def 1 ).
2. Law. a person participating directly in or having a derivative interest in a legal transaction.

privy

/ ˈprɪvɪ /

adjective

1. postpositivefoll byto participating in the knowledge of something secret
2. archaic.
   secret, hidden, etc
3. archaic.
   of or relating to one person only

noun

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

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 prīvātus private

Word History and Origins

Origin of privy¹

C13: from Old French privé something private, from Latin prīvātus private

Example Sentences

Pinsky was also privy to payouts for his celebrity, accepting a lucrative consulting gig with Janssen Pharmaceutica.

From The Daily Beast

I'm just an average citizen not privy to that kind of information.

From The Daily Beast

Neither Wyden nor Feingold, who were both privy to the interpretation, ever disclosed further details.

From The Daily Beast

He believes he is privy to information not reflected in polls.

From The Daily Beast

For the believers who turned to him, Elyashiv's rulings carried the weight of someone privy to God's will.

From The Daily Beast

It has been said that the Duke betrayed the Bourbons and was privy to the Emperor's return, but this is a calumny.

From Project Gutenberg

Having wound these about the waist, they twist them so that they cover the privy parts.

From Project Gutenberg

The books of the Treasury and of the Privy Council were rescued, and are still preserved.

From Project Gutenberg

His privy councillors are to be found among slaveholders in the United States.

From Project Gutenberg

His continued efforts to suppress the drama finally led the troupes to appeal for re22lief to the Privy Council.

From Project Gutenberg