Words / A2

PUBL-ik/ˈpʌblɪk/

A public place is open to everyone, not private. Public transport, a public library, in public. The public (noun) means people in general. Publish is a related verb: make a book public. In Britain, a public school can mean a fee-paying school — a false friend for many learners.

Meaning

For everyone; not private.

Examples

• “There is a public park near here.”
• “Please do not talk about this in public.”
• “There is little public parking near the hospital.”

Good to know

public + noun. in public. Opposite: private. People in general: the public.

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