Privacy: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when referring to personal space or information that is kept away from the public eye. It often involves respecting someone's personal boundaries.

• She values her privacy and doesn't like to share too much about her personal life.
• The new law protects the privacy of internet users.

This word is suitable for professional or legal settings where information must be kept secret to protect someone's interests or to follow the law.

• Doctors must maintain patient confidentiality.
• The agreement included a confidentiality clause to protect sensitive information.

Best used when referring to the deliberate act of keeping something hidden. It often has a negative connotation and might imply that something is being hidden for dubious reasons.

• The project was shrouded in secrecy.
• His secrecy made everyone suspicious of his intentions.

Appropriate when referring to the state of being alone without it necessarily being a negative experience. It often implies a peaceful or reflective state.

• He enjoys the solitude of his cabin in the woods.
• Many artists seek solitude to find inspiration.