• Dictionary
  • List of exercises
  • Exercises by level

Meaning of public in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈpəblɪk/

    US accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce public in American English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.

    UK accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce public in British English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.
  1. Classifying Adjective

    public

    Definitions

    1. affecting the people or community as a whole

    Examples

    • « community leaders »
    • « community interests »
    • « the public welfare »

    Synonyms

    • common
  2. Noun

    public

    Definitions

    1. people in general considered as a whole

    Examples

    • « he is a hero in the eyes of the public »
  3. 2. a body of people sharing some common interest

    Examples

    • « the reading public »
  4. 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

Navigation

    Books Teacher Resources About Contact

Lessons

    Beginner Intermediate Advanced
© 2021, NAGEL PTY LTD 🇦🇺 • Terms • Privacy