Privacy is the state of being free from unwanted observation or intrusion. When you have privacy, you control who sees what you're doing, who knows your personal information, and who enters your space. You might close your bedroom door when you want privacy to read, think, or change clothes. You might keep a diary private, meaning you don't want others reading your personal thoughts.

Privacy matters in many situations. At home, you might expect privacy in the bathroom or your bedroom. Online, privacy means controlling who sees your photos, messages, or personal information. Doctors and therapists keep what you tell them private (unless you're in danger). Schools can't share your grades with random strangers.

The word can describe physical space or information. Physical privacy means having your own space where others can't watch or interrupt you. Informational privacy means keeping facts about yourself from becoming public knowledge. When you whisper a secret to a friend, you're trusting them to respect your privacy by not sharing it.

Sometimes people confuse privacy with secrecy, but they're different. Secrecy can involve hiding something wrong, while privacy is about maintaining boundaries and dignity. Many people believe everyone deserves some privacy. It's not always about having something to hide; it's also about having something that's yours alone.