privy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "privy" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used as an adjective that means "in the know" or "privileged to be aware of something". For example, you might say, "The CEO shared the news with her privy inner circle first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

But the Chilcot group of privy counsellors, which included Lord Howard, Alan Beith, and Shaun Woodward, concluded that the use of phone-tap evidence couldn't be reconciled with the operational requirements of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ "notably that the intercepting agencies should be able to determine how intercept material is transcribed and selected for retention".

The Guardian

In 1960 he became Labour's defence spokesman and during the Wilson premiership he was at Defence and the Board of Trade and became a privy counsellor.

The Guardian

"I'm not privy to the wishes of the trustees," he said.

The Guardian - Film

Other clauses in the act would be reviewed by a privy council committee after two years, and any areas the committee had concerns about would be referred to and debated in parliament.

The Guardian - Opinion

The unions dig in The brain trade Brixton lights up No privacy in the privy Industrial mess ReprintsThere is, however, a problem that both men share.

The Economist

Instead, each of her central characters has a confidant who becomes privy to their inner thoughts.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

But he forcefully maintains his innocence, and can fight his extradition all the way to the Privy Council in London, which remains Trinidad and Tobago's final court of appeal.

The Economist

Letwin had proposed incorporating the press verification body by royal charter – originally a medieval device – using the powers of the crown in the Privy Council to create a corporate body without involving parliament.

The Guardian

From 1960-63, he was Lord Privy Seal with Foreign Office responsibilities and as such handled the Common Market negotiations.

The Guardian

A second review, by a seven-person cross-party group from the Privy Council, a body of trusted top politicians, will report by the end of the year.It is hard to prove that a tough regime of this kind is either definitely necessary or clearly an over-reaction.

The Economist

Hung up on getting strung up Reprints Related items The Caribbean: Crime without punishmentJan 10th 2002Mr Patterson and most of his regional colleagues want a new Caribbean Court of Justice to replace the Privy Council.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "privy" to indicate exclusive or confidential knowledge, not just general awareness. For example, "He was "privy" to the CEO's plans" emphasizes a level of trust and secrecy.

Common error

Avoid using "privy" when simply meaning 'aware' or 'informed'. "Privy" suggests a deeper, more confidential level of knowledge. Overusing it can dilute its intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The term "privy" functions primarily as an adjective, describing someone who has knowledge of private or secret information. Ludwig shows its frequent usage in describing individuals or groups with access to confidential details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "privy" is an adjective used to describe someone with access to confidential or secret information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The term appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but also sees use in formal business settings. When using "privy", ensure you're indicating exclusive knowledge, not just general awareness. Alternatives include "in the know" or "aware of", depending on the specific context. It's typically followed by 'to' and should not be confused with "private".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the know

This alternative directly implies having access to information not widely available.

aware of

This indicates a general understanding or knowledge about a particular subject or situation.

acquainted with

Suggests familiarity and some level of understanding about the topic.

informed about

Implies receiving specific information, often through official channels.

party to

Indicates involvement in or knowledge of a secret agreement or plan.

conscious of

Highlights awareness of a particular fact or situation.

apprised of

Suggests being formally informed or updated on something.

familiar with

Indicates a degree of expertise or knowledge through experience.

wise to

Implies an understanding of the true nature or implications of something.

clued in

An informal way of saying someone is aware of something, often secret or insider information.

FAQs

How to use "privy" in a sentence?

You can use "privy" to indicate someone is aware of confidential or secret information. For example, "Only a select few were "privy to" the details of the merger."

What can I say instead of "privy"?

You can use alternatives like "in the know", "aware of", or "informed about" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "privy to" or "privy of"?

"Privy" is typically followed by the preposition "to". Therefore, "privy to" is the correct and standard usage. For example, "He was "privy" to sensitive information."

What's the difference between "privy" and "private"?

"Privy" implies being aware of something secret or confidential, while "private" refers to something belonging to or concerning a particular person or group. For example, a meeting can be "private", but only certain individuals might be "privy" to its contents.