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Public Meaning, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：communal (public)

public 🔊

/ˈpʌblɪk/

adj., n.

Referring to things that belong to, are used by, or are for everyone in a community, not just one person or a private group.

Public library with people reading books

communal 🔊

➕

/kəˈmjuːnəl/

adj., n.

Relating to or shared by all people in a community; not restricted to private use.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'publicus', derived from 'populus' meaning 'the people'; originally 'belonging to the state'.

💡 Mnemonic

A 'pub' is a public house open to everyone—remember 'public' starts with 'pub' meaning for all.

📖 Example

I love going to the public library because it’s quiet and free for everyone to read and borrow books. 🔊 I enjoy visiting the public library because it is quiet and free for everyone.

🔗 Collocations

public transportation – Shared transport systems available to all

public opinion – The collective views of the population

public health – Health services and policies for the community

🔄 Synonyms

communal (adj.) – Shared by the community

civic (adj.) – Relating to a city or citizens

common (adj.) – Belonging to or shared by all

🚫 Antonyms

private (adj.) – Belonging to an individual; not public

personal (adj.) – Relating to a particular person

confidential (adj.) – Intended to be kept secret

🌱 Derivatives

publicly (adv.) – In a public manner

publicity (n.) – Public attention or exposure

publicize (v.) – To make known to the public

📖 Cultural Story

In ancient Rome, 'res publica' (public thing) referred to the state and common affairs. The English word 'public' inherited this sense of belonging to the community, contrasting with 'private' from Latin 'privatus' meaning 'separate'.

Meaning 2：the populace (public)

public 🔊

/ˈpʌblɪk/

adj., n.

All the people in a society or community, as a group.

Diverse crowd of people in a town square

the populace 🔊

➕

/ðə ˈpɒpjʊləs/

adj., n.

All the ordinary people in a country or community considered as a whole.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The singer is very popular with the general public because her music is easy to enjoy. 🔊 The singer is very popular with the general public because her music is easy to enjoy.

🔗 Collocations

general public – The ordinary people in society

public opinion – The collective attitudes of the people

public interest – What is beneficial or important to the community

🔄 Synonyms

populace (n.) – The general population

community (n.) – A group of people living together

society (n.) – The people in a particular area or country

🚫 Antonyms

individual (n.) – A single person as opposed to a group