3
general::
private
if something is private, you do not want most people to know about it because it concerns your feelings, your relationships etc:
• He didn’t want to discuss his private life. • What happens in the bedroom is strictly private.
personal
relating to your private life – used especially about problems, feelings, and questions:
• They asked a lot of personal questions. • She talked about her own personal feelings. • I’d rather not talk about it – it’s personal. • The singer has had a lot of problems in her personal life.
secret
[ only before noun ] used about feelings and thoughts that you do not tell anyone about:
• Barclay had a secret desire to become an actor. • His secret fear was that Jenny would leave him.
intimate
very private – used about things relating to your relationships and sexual feelings:
• an intimate conversation • Many people share intimate details of their lives on the Internet. • their intimate moments together
innermost
[ only before noun ] your innermost feelings, thoughts etc are your most private ones:
• Counselling often encourages you to reveal your innermost thoughts.
be none of sb’s business
if something is none of your business, it is private and you should not ask about it:
• It’s none of your business how much I earn. • ‘Are you married?’ ‘That’s none of your business.’
Longman-Thesaurus