Etymology Map
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Private

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means belonging to one person; not public

Where does the word "private" come from? It comes from Latin privatus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
privatus
Latin · ancient
"set apart, not public"
from 'privare', to deprive, the root of 'privilege'
2
Stage 2 of 3
privé
Old French · medieval
"private"
a 'privy' was a private place, the root of the word for a toilet
3
Stage 3 of 3
private
English · 1300s
"personal"
army 'privates' date from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Private’s story begins in Latin: privatus meant “set apart, not public.” From 'privare', to deprive, the root of 'privilege'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as privé. A 'privy' was a private place, the root of the word for a toilet. It reached English by 1300s as private. Army 'privates' date from the 1500s. Today, private means belonging to one person; not public.