privacy
PRIV-uh-see
/ˈprɪvəsi/
The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people.
Often refers to control over one's personal information and space, especially in the digital age.
The story behind the word. The word 'privacy' comes from the Latin word 'privatus,' meaning 'belonging to oneself, not to the state, peculiar to an individual.' It originally referred to something separated from public life. Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass the idea of being free from public observation or intrusion, a concept that has become increasingly complex in the digital age.
Word relationships
- confidentiality: Focuses on the obligation to keep information secret, often in a professional context.
- seclusion: Emphasizes being alone and away from others, often for peace or solitude.
- anonymity: Refers to the state of not being identified by name.
- publicity: The state of being widely known or observed.
- exposure: The state of being revealed or made vulnerable.
Commonly confused with
- secrecy: Secrecy implies intentionally hiding information, potentially with a negative connotation, while privacy is about controlling access to personal information or space.
Word family
- private (adjective): belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group of people only.
- privately (adverb): in a way that is not known or seen by many people; secretly.
Collocations
- digital privacy
- personal privacy
- invasion of privacy
- privacy settings
- right to privacy
Example sentences
- "The new data protection laws aim to protect individual privacy in an increasingly connected world." Discussing digital rights.
- "The court ruled that the company had violated the user's right to privacy by sharing their browsing history without permission." A legal ruling.
- "Many people value their privacy and are reluctant to share too much personal information online." General discussion.
Memory hook
Think of a 'PRIVATE' room where you can have 'PRIVACY' from others. Private space, private info.
When not to use
Do not use 'privacy' when referring to secrecy that is intended to deceive or harm; 'secrecy' or 'confidentiality' might be more appropriate depending on the context.
Fun facts
- The concept of privacy as a legal right is relatively modern, gaining significant traction in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Related words
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