privacy

/ˈprɪvəsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpraɪvəsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprī-və-sē especially British ˈpri-/ (ame, mw)

privacy — noun

1. the right to decide how much of your personal information, activities, or relati

1.名詞B2
釋義

the right to decide how much of your personal information, activities, or relationships other people are allowed to know about or share with others

例句

The new photo app requests access to my contacts, which worries me about my privacy.

privacy concern triggered by app permissions

Journalists should respect the privacy of ordinary people who are not public figures.

respect someone's privacy

同義詞
  • confidentiality

    more formal; focuses specifically on information being kept secret by agreement or law, not on a person's general right

  • secrecy

    broader and less legal; can imply hiding information even when there is no right to do so

反義詞
  • publicity

    the state of being known about by many people

文法句型

uncountable noun

用法筆記

Often used in legal, technology, and healthcare contexts. Frequently appears in compound nouns like 'privacy policy', 'privacy law', and 'privacy settings'.

常見錯誤

❌The company keeps customer data in privacy.
✅The company keeps customer data private.
💡'in privacy' is not a natural English phrase; use the adjective 'private' instead.
❌I value my privacies.
✅I value my privacy.
💡privacy is uncountable in this sense and does not take a plural form.

2. a situation in which you are away from other people so that you are not seen, he

2.名詞B1
釋義

a situation in which you are away from other people so that you are not seen, heard, or interrupted by anyone

例句

After a long week, Yael enjoys a quiet evening at home with some privacy.

enjoy some privacy

The mountain cabin offered total privacy, with no neighbours or roads in any direction.

offer / provide privacy

同義詞
  • solitude

    more literary; suggests being completely alone by choice, often for reflection or peace

  • seclusion

    more formal; suggests being hidden or shut away from others, often for a longer time

  • isolation

    can have a negative tone; suggests being cut off from others, possibly against your will

文法句型

uncountable noun

often used with 'some'

用法筆記

This sense describes a physical or social condition rather than a legal right. 'Some privacy' is a very common phrase — e.g. 'I just need some privacy for a few minutes.'

常見錯誤

❌I need a privacy to focus on my reading.
✅I need some privacy to focus on my reading.
💡privacy is uncountable and cannot follow 'a'.