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.

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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

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noun

1. a lavatory, esp an outside one

2. law a person in privity with another See privity

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• privies
  plural

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

Princess Michael of Kent, another non-working royal, also has a property in Kensington Palace which is paid for by the privy purse.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

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

From Salon • May 25, 2026

But he quickly put it back on, declaring, 'as you are privy councillors ...

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

However, access to accounts alone is not exactly proof of wrongdoing unless you are privy to additional facts or evidence of misuse.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

Few things in this world smell worse than a privy on fire.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck