privet

American  

[priv-it] / ˈprɪv ɪt /

noun

1. any of various deciduous or evergreen shrubs of the genus Ligustrum, especially L. vulgare, having clusters of small white flowers and commonly grown as a hedge.

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privet British  

/ ˈprɪvɪt /

noun

1. 1. any oleaceous shrub of the genus Ligustrum, esp L. vulgare or L. ovalifolium , having oval dark green leaves, white flowers, and purplish-black berries

   2. ( as modifier )

      a privet hedge

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Etymology

Origin of privet

First recorded in 1535–45; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

“There was a privet hedge, a lonely juniper, a hibiscus, a large bird of paradise and a camellia bush,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The sites were relatively undisturbed by humans and didn’t have common invasive plants such as Chinese privet.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 5, 2023

One of the auction staff described how "the privet hedge was left bare of every leaf because the people who attended wanted to say to their friends they had something from the house".

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2023

This is the Hamptons, and it is privet, whose very name sounds like “private,” that keeps prying eyes from seeing what the rich and famous are up to.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2018

Cal had lain still where he had fallen under the tall privet in Kate’s front yard.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck