English vocabulary · C1
Privy
/ˈprɪvi/ · adj.
To be privy to something is to know a secret that only a few people know. Someone trusts you with facts kept from others.
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Example sentences
- Only two aides were privy to the plan.
- She became privy to the hidden deal.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- priv — private (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- INFORMED — knowing what happened (Given The Facts)
- AWARE — knowing about something (Knows It Exists)
- INCLUDED — made part of something (Inside The Group)
Words with the same root
priv — private
- private — not open to everyone
- privacy — freedom from public view
Lesson notes
To be privy to something is to know a secret that only a few people know. Someone trusts you with facts kept from others.
Related: informed, aware, included. Use privy when trusted with secret facts.
Only two aides were privy to the plan. She became privy to the hidden deal.
From Latin. Priv- means private. Private facts shared with you make you privy.