Meaning & use
Privates
Last updated
An informal term for the external genital organs, or the lowest-ranking soldiers in an army.
See it in a sentence
The doctor examined the patient's privates during the physical exam.
Two privates were assigned to guard duty overnight.
A note on using this word
Context distinguishes the two very different senses: the anatomical use is informal and euphemistic, while the military sense names the lowest enlisted rank.
Words with a similar meaning
genitals
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
Soldiers holding the lowest rank in an army.
The sergeant briefed the new privates before the drill.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Privates”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.