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- DictionaryPub·lic/ˈpəblik/
adjective
- 1. of or concerning the people as a whole: "public concern" Similar populargeneralcommoncommunalcollectivesharedjointuniversalwidespread
- ▪ open to or shared by all the people of an area or country: "a public library" Similar open (to the public)communalnot privatenot exclusiveaccessible to allavailablefreeunrestrictedcommunityOpposite privaterestricted
- ▪ of or involved in the affairs of the community, especially in government: "his public career was destroyed by tenacious reporters" Similar prominentwell knownin the public eyeleadingimportanteminentpreeminentrecognizeddistinguishednotablenoteworthynotedoutstandingforemostof markillustriouscelebratedfamousrenownedacclaimedfamedhonoredesteemedrespectedwell thought ofinfluentialprestigiousOpposite obscureunknown
- ▪ known to many people; famous: "a public figure"
- 2. done, perceived, or existing in open view: "he wanted a public apology in the " Similar knownwidely knownovertplainobviousin circulationpublishedpublicizedexposedOpposite secret
- 3. of or provided by the government rather than an independent, commercial company: "public benefits" Similar statenationalfederalgovernmentconstitutionaldemocraticciviccivilofficialsocialmunicipalcommunitylocalcommunalnationalizedstate-ownedurbanmetropolitanOpposite private
- 4. of, for, or acting for a university: British "public examination results"
noun
- 1. ordinary people in general; the community: "the library is open to the public" Similar peoplecitizenssubjectsgeneral publicelectorselectoratevoterstaxpayersresidentsinhabitantscitizenrypopulationpopulacecommunitysocietycountrynationworldeveryoneratepayers
- ▪ a section of the community having a particular interest or connection: "the reading public"
- ▪ the people who watch or are interested in an artist, writer, or performer: "some famous last words to give my public" Similar audiencespectatorsconcertgoerstheatergoersfollowersfollowingfansdevoteesaficionadosadmirerspatronsclientelemarketconsumersbuyerscustomersreadersinformal:buffsfreaks
Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin publicus, blend of poplicus ‘of the people’ (from populus ‘people’) and pubes ‘adult’.
Scrabble Points: 12
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