What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Unknown vs Privy - What's the difference?

unknown | privy | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between unknown and privy

is that unknown is not known; unidentified; not well known while privy is private, exclusive; not public; one's own.

As nouns the difference between unknown and privy

is that unknown is a variable (usually x, y or z) whose value is to be found while privy is an outdoor toilet; latrine; earth closet; john; johnny house.

unknown

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Not known; unidentified; not well known.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=The Celebrity, by arts unknown , induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on an afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. The three returned wondering and charmed with Mrs. Cooke; they were sure she had had no hand in the furnishing of that atrocious house.}}

    Synonyms

    * anonymous * unfamiliar * uncharted * undiscovered * unexplored * unidentified * unnamed * unrecognized * unrevealed * unascertained * obscure * unsung

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (algebra) A variable (usually x'', ''y'' or ''z ) whose value is to be found.
  • Any fact or place about which nothing is known (as in the phrase "into the unknown").
  • A person of no identity; a nonentity
  • * 1965 , (Bob Dylan), (Like a Rolling Stone)
    • How does it feel
    To be on your own
    With no direction home
    Like a complete unknown
    Like a rolling stone?

    privy

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Private, exclusive; not public; one's own.
    • The king retreated to his privy chamber.
    the privy purse
  • Secret, hidden, concealed.
  • * 1967 , William Styron, The Confessions of Nat Turner , Vintage 2004, p. 82:
    • Nonetheless, in the dark and privy stillness of our minds there are few of us who are not still haunted by worrisome doubts.
  • With knowledge of; party to; let in on.
    • He was privy to the discussions.

    Noun

    (privies)
  • An outdoor toilet; latrine; earth closet; john; johnny house.
  • (legal) A partaker; one having an interest in an action, contract, etc. to which he is not himself a party.
    • (Burrill)
    (Wharton)