private means

English

Noun

private means (uncountable)

1. A reasonable degree of wealth.

   He was a well-travelled man of private means.

   • 1950 July, “The Historian of the G.W.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 433:

     We believe that in early life he intended to take up a railway career, but he never did, and lived on his private means, devoting his studies to historical matters, principally in connection with Somerset.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see private,‎ means.

Usage notes

• Usually used to indicate that a person has the ability to fund themselves in their endeavours.