Privately (Adverb)
Meaning 1
Kept private or confined to those intimately concerned; "it was discussed privately between the two men"; "privately, she thought differently"; "some member of his own party hoped privately for his defeat"; "he was questioned in private".
Examples
- She was openly expressing her gratitude to the team but privately she felt they were slacking off.
- He told the staff that everything was fine but privately he was worried about the company's financial situation.
- Privately, the board of directors thought the merger was a disastrous idea but publicly they supported it.
- Some members of the team privately questioned the coach's strategies but never spoke up during meetings.
- The politician publicly supported the bill, but privately he was planning to veto it if it passed.
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Meaning 2
By a private person or interest; "a privately financed campaign".
Examples
- The project was privately funded by a wealthy investor who wished to remain anonymous.
- She privately thought that the artist's latest work was uninspired, but publicly praised it to avoid offense.
- The company was privately owned by a family who had been in the business for generations.
- He privately worried about the health implications of his new diet, but was determined to see it through.
- The politician privately accepted money from the lobbying group, but denied any wrongdoing in public.