privy

American  

[priv-ee] / ˈprɪv i /

adjective

privier, priviest

1. participating in the knowledge of something private or secret (usually followed byto ).

   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

privies plural

1. outhouse.

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

privy British  

/ ˈprɪvɪ /

adjective

1. 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. law a person in privity with another See privity

Etymology

Origin of privy

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

Explanation

If you're privy to something, you've been let in on a secret or know about something that most people don't. Not many people are privy to what those top secret documents are all about, for example. The adjective privy comes from the Latin privatus, meaning “private,” and describes someone who has knowledge of secret or confidential information. But watch out: If you use privy as a noun, it can mean “outhouse” or “toilet,” which actually might be a good place to hide your diary if you don't want anyone else to be privy to its contents.

Example Sentences

But Sasha is a child, and can only see what she’s privy to.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

After being told that some of the judges were also privy councillors, he briefly removed his hat in acknowledgment.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

Do they get updates at the same time and are they privy to development information?

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

That scenario had been briefed days earlier to the Gang of Eight—the top Republicans and Democrats in Congress privy to the most sensitive U.S. intelligence about national-security matters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

A sour smell of privy smoke rose off his hair, and probably mine.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck