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Meaning of public in English
Pronunciation
/ˈpəblɪk/
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Classifying Adjective
public
Definitions
1.
affecting the people or community as a whole
Examples
« community leaders »
« community interests »
« the public welfare »
Synonyms
common
Noun
public
Definitions
1.
people in general considered as a whole
Examples
« he is a hero in the eyes of the public »
2.
a body of people sharing some common interest
Examples
« the reading public »
Qualitative Adjective
public
Etymology
late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin publicus, blend of poplicus‘of the people’ (from populus‘people’) and pubes‘adult’
Definitions
1.
not private
Examples
« open to or concerning the people as a whole »
« the public good »
« public libraries »
« public funds »
« public parks »
« a public scandal »
« public gardens »
« performers and members of royal families are public figures »
Synonyms
in the public eye(p)
national
open
semipublic
state-supported
unexclusive
unrestricted
Antonyms
private
See also
exoteric
overt