privately

Privately is an adverb describing actions, conversations, or matters conducted away from public view or knowledge. It can refer to personal life, confidential information, or actions intended for a restricted audience. In everyday use, it often contrasts with publicly or officially.

Common uses include speaking privately, keeping something private, or a privately owned company. The term can describe how something is funded, owned, or managed when it is not part of the public, state, or corporate arena. In journalism and diplomacy, privately held information or privately negotiated agreements are not disclosed to the public.

Etymology and form: The adverb privately is formed from the adjective private, which derives from Latin privatus through Old French privé into Middle English. The suffix -ly, used to create adverbs of manner, was added in English to produce privately.

See also: privacy, private, confidential, secrecy, off the record.