Meaning of public in English

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
Antonyms
- private

Pronunciation