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pri‧vate‧ly
1 with no one else present [= in private]: 
I must talk to you privately.
I must talk to you privately.2 if you feel or think something privately, you do not tell anyone about it : Laura praised the pictures, though she privately thought they were rather ordinary.
Laura praised the pictures, though she privately thought they were rather ordinary. [sentence adverb] Privately, Harriet had to agree.
Privately, Harriet had to agree.3 not publicly or as part of your work
[sentence adverb] Privately, senior officials agreed that not many people had voted.
Privately, senior officials agreed that not many people had voted.4 especially British English using or involving private rather than government institutions : Both children are privately educated. a privately-owned company
Both children are privately educated.a privately-owned company