# Public /ˈpəbɫɪk/ (US) · /pˈʌblɪk/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/public Updated: 2026-08-15 ## Senses ### 1. available to everyone adjective · CEFR A2 describes something that anyone can use or visit, often paid for by the government. For teachers: open to all members of a community; specifically, provided by national or local authorities and supported by taxation. - The city built a new public library where anyone can borrow books for free. - The administration argued that public infrastructure projects should be prioritised over private developments to ensure equitable access for all citizens. ### 2. not secret adjective · CEFR B1 happening where people can see it, or known by many people. For teachers: happening without concealment; open to general view or known by the community at large. - The company made a public apology after their mistake was reported in the news. - The CEO's public statement was carefully drafted to reassure shareholders without admitting legal liability for the recent data breach. ### 3. official role adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal related to a person's job or official life, rather than their private life. For teachers: pertaining to a person in their formal or official capacity as opposed to their personal life. - The minister tried to keep his family life separate from his public duties. - Maintaining a distinction between one's public persona and private identity is increasingly difficult in the era of constant social media surveillance. ### 4. the people in general noun · CEFR A2 the people of a country or community in general. For teachers: the members of the community or the people in general, regardless of membership in specific groups. - The museum is now open to the public every day of the week. - The government must balance the need for national security with the public's right to access information regarding environmental safety. Usage: Usually preceded by the definite article 'the'. ### 5. an audience noun · CEFR B2 a group of people who follow or watch a particular artist, writer, or performer. For teachers: a specific demographic or group of people who support or follow a particular individual or creative work. - The young singer has a very loyal public that buys all her albums. - The author struggled to satisfy his public while simultaneously experimenting with a radical new narrative style that alienated long-time readers. Usage: Often used with a possessive determiner like 'his', 'her', or 'their'. ### 6. in the presence of others noun · CEFR B1 a place or situation where other people can see or hear you. For teachers: the state of being in the presence of spectators or the general population. - It is considered rude to shout at your friends in public. - The celebrity rarely appeared in public without a security detail to manage the inevitable crowds of photographers. Usage: Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'in public'. ### 7. programming adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical describes a part of a computer program that can be used by any other part. For teachers: denotes an object or variable accessible to the program in general, rather than being restricted to a specific class. - You should make this variable public so other classes can access the data. - The developer decided to change the method from private to public to allow for better integration with the third-party API. ## Examples - The museum is now open to the public. - The government decided to inform the public about the new safety rules through a series of television advertisements. - Maintaining the trust of the general public is essential for any democratic institution, as perceived secrecy can lead to widespread skepticism and social unrest. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.