If something is secret, it is known about by only a small number of people, and is not told or shown to anyone else.
Soldiers have been training at a secret location.
The police have been trying to keep the documents secret.
Synonyms: undisclosed, unknown, confidential, underground More Synonyms of secret
secretlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
He wore a hidden microphone to secretly record conversations.
...secretly organised events.
Synonyms: in secret, privately, surreptitiously, quietly More Synonyms of secret
Synonyms: privately, in your heart of hearts, in your innermost thoughts More Synonyms of secret
2.
See also top secret
3. countable noun
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
I think he enjoyed keeping our love a secret.
I didn't want anyone to know about it, it was my secret.
4. singular noun
If you say that a particular way of doing things is the secretof achieving something, you mean that it is the best or only way to achieve it.
The secret of success is honesty and fair dealing. [+ of]
I learned something about writing. The secret is to say less than you need.
Synonyms: key, answer, formula, recipe More Synonyms of secret
5. countable noun [usually plural, oft with poss]
Something's secrets are the things about it which have never been fully explained.
We have an opportunity now to really unlock the secrets of the universe. [+ of]
The past is riddled with deep dark secrets.
Synonyms: mystery, question, puzzle, paradox More Synonyms of secret
6.
See in secret
7.
See to keep a secret
8.
See make no secret
More Synonyms of secret
secret in British English
(ˈsiːkrɪt)
adjective
1.
kept hidden or separate from the knowledge of others
▶ Related adjective: cryptic
2.
known only to initiates
a secret password
3.
hidden from general view or use
a secret garden
4.
able or tending to keep things private or to oneself
5.
operating without the knowledge of outsiders
a secret society
6.
outside the normal range of knowledge
noun
7.
something kept or to be kept hidden
8.
something unrevealed; mystery
9.
an underlying explanation, reason, etc, that is not apparent
the secret of success
10.
a method, plan, etc, known only to initiates
11. liturgy
a variable prayer, part of the Mass, said by the celebrant after the offertory and before the preface
12. in the secret
Derived forms
secretly (ˈsecretly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Latin sēcrētus concealed, from sēcernere to sift; see secern
secret in American English
(ˈsikrɪt)
adjective
1.
kept from public knowledge or from the knowledge of a certain person or persons
2.
withdrawn, remote, or secluded
a secret hideaway
3.
keeping one's affairs to oneself; secretive
4.
beyond general knowledge or understanding; mysterious or esoteric
5.
concealed from sight or notice; hidden
a secret drawer
6.
acting in secret
a secret society
noun
7.
something known only to a certain person or persons and purposely kept from the knowledge of others
8.
something not revealed, understood, or explained; mystery
the secret of Stonehenge
9.
the true cause or explanation, regarded as not obvious
the secret of one's success
10. [S-]
a prayer said just before the Preface of the Mass
Idioms:
in secret
SYNONYMY NOTE: secret, the general term, implies a concealing or keeping from the knowledge of others,for whatever reason [my secret opinion of him]; covert implies a concealing as by disguising or veiling [a covert threat]; clandestine suggests that what is being kept secret is of an illicit, immoral, or proscribednature [their clandestine meetings in the park]; stealthy implies a slow, quiet secrecy of action in an attempt to elude notice and often connotesdeceit [the stealthy advance of the panther]; furtive adds to this connotations of slyness or watchfulness and suggests a reprehensibleobjective [the furtive movement of his hand toward my pocket]; surreptitious connotes a feeling of guilt in the one who is acting in a furtive or stealthy manner[she stole a surreptitious glance at him]; underhanded implies a stealthiness characterized by fraudulence or deceit [underhanded business dealings]
OPPOSITES: open, obvious
Derived forms
secretly (ˈsecretly)
adverb
Word origin
OFr < L secretus, pp. of secernere, to set apart < se-, apart (see secede) + cernere, to sift, distinguish: see harvest
COBUILD Collocations
secret
beauty secret
dark secret
dirty secret
discover a secret
expose a secret
family secret
guilty secret
harbour a secret
hide a secret
little secret
nuclear secrets
remain secret
reveal a secret
shameful secret
stay secret
steal secrets
terrible secret
uncover a secret
unlock a secret
well-kept secret
Examples of 'secret' in a sentence
secret
Her secret work for social justice was an endless `Hail Mary ', penance for her self-confessed sins.
Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
He slowly closed his eye, and a small and secret smile spread across his mouth.
Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2002)
And maybe your DI thought Jax had let him in on their little secret.
Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2002)
Quotations
They have a skeleton in their closetWilliam Makepeace ThackerayThe Newcomes
I know that's a secret, for it's whispered every whereWilliam CongreveLove for Love
For secrets are edged tools, And must be kept from children and from foolsJohn DrydenSir Martin Mar-All
In other languages
secret
British English: secret /ˈsiːkrɪt/ ADJECTIVE
If something is secret, it is known about by only a small number of people, and is not told or shown to anyone else.
The police tried to keep the documents secret.
American English: secret
Arabic: سِرِّيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: secreto
Chinese: 秘密的
Croatian: tajni
Czech: tajný
Danish: hemmelig
Dutch: geheim
European Spanish: secreto
Finnish: salainen
French: secret
German: geheim
Greek: μυστικός
Italian: segreto
Japanese: 秘密の
Korean: 비밀의
Norwegian: hemmelig
Polish: tajny
European Portuguese: secreto
Romanian: secret
Russian: тайный
Latin American Spanish: secreto
Swedish: hemlig
Thai: เป็นความลับ
Turkish: gizli
Ukrainian: секретний
Vietnamese: bí mật
British English: secret /ˈsiːkrɪt/ NOUN
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
Can you keep a secret?
American English: secret
Arabic: سِرّ
Brazilian Portuguese: segredo
Chinese: 秘密
Croatian: tajna
Czech: tajemství
Danish: hemmelighed
Dutch: geheim
European Spanish: secreto
Finnish: salaisuus
French: secret
German: Geheimnis
Greek: μυστικό
Italian: segreto
Japanese: 秘密
Korean: 비밀
Norwegian: hemmelighet
Polish: sekret
European Portuguese: segredo
Romanian: secret
Russian: секрет
Latin American Spanish: secreto
Swedish: hemlighet
Thai: ความลับ
Turkish: sır
Ukrainian: секрет
Vietnamese: điều bí mật
All related terms of 'secret'
in secret
If you do something in secret , you do it without anyone else knowing .
dark secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
open secret
If you refer to something as an open secret , you mean that it is supposed to be a secret, but many people know about it.
stay secret
If something is secret , it is known about by only a small number of people, and is not told or shown to anyone else.
top secret
Top secret information or activity is intended to be kept completely secret, for example in order to prevent a country's enemies from finding out about it.
beauty secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
dirty secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
family secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
guilty secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
little secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
remain secret
If something is secret , it is known about by only a small number of people, and is not told or shown to anyone else.
secret agent
A secret agent is a person who is employed by a government to find out the secrets of other governments.
secret ballot
a vote in which the confidentiality of how one votes is safeguarded
secret desire
A desire is a strong wish to do or have something.
secret dream
You can refer to a situation or event as a dream if you often think about it because you would like it to happen .
secret lover
Someone's lover is someone who they are having a sexual relationship with but are not married to.
secret police
The secret police is a police force in some countries that works secretly and deals with political crimes committed against the government.
secret recipe
A recipe is a list of ingredients and a set of instructions that tell you how to cook something.
secret Santa
a system whereby each member of a group chooses at random another member of the group for whom to buy a Christmas present at an agreed cost , so that each member buys one present and receives one present
secret weapon
Someone's secret weapon is a thing or person which they believe will help them achieve something and which other people do not know about.
state secret
an official secret
trade secret
A trade secret is information that is known, used, and kept secret by a particular firm , for example about a method of production or a chemical process.
secret admirer
A person's admirers are the people who are attracted to them.
secret formula
A formula for a particular situation , usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
secret history
a version of historical events which differs from the official or commonly accepted record and purports to be the true version
secret location
A location is the place where something happens or is situated .
secret meeting
A meeting is an event in which a group of people come together to discuss things or make decisions .
secret mosquito
a high-pitched ringtone for a mobile phone , claimed by its distributors to be inaudible to most adults while remaining audible to children and teenagers
secret passage
A passage is a long narrow space with walls or fences on both sides, which connects one place or room with another.
secret service
A country's secret service is a secret government department whose job is to find out enemy secrets and to prevent its own government's secrets from being discovered .
secret society
a society or organization that conceals its rites , activities, etc, from those who are not members
shameful secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
terrible secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
hide a secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
in the secret
among the people who know a secret
make no secret
If you make no secret of something, you tell others about it openly and clearly .
secret compartment
A compartment is one of the separate parts of an object that is used for keeping things in.
secret information
Information about someone or something consists of facts about them.
discover a secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
expose a secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
harbour a secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
reveal a secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
secret intelligence
Intelligence is information that is gathered by the government or the army about their country's enemies and their activities.
secret negotiations
Negotiations are formal discussions between people who have different aims or intentions , especially in business or politics , during which they try to reach an agreement.
to keep a secret
If you say that someone can keep a secret , you mean that they can be trusted not to tell other people a secret that you have told them.
uncover a secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
unlock a secret
Something's secrets are the things about it which have never been fully explained .
well-kept secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
mystery shopper
a person who is employed, often by the owners , to visit shops, hotels , etc, incognito , and assess the quality of the service offered
shadow history
a version of historical events which differs from the official or commonly accepted record and purports to be the true version
Chinese translation of 'secret'
secret
(ˈsiːkrɪt)
adj
[plan, activity, place etc]秘(祕)密的 (mìmì de)
n(c)
秘(祕)密 (mìmì) (个(個), gè)
to keep sth secret (from sb)(对(對)某人)保密某事 ((duì mǒurén) bǎomì mǒushì)
a secret admirer (romantic) 暗恋(戀)者 (ànliànzhě)
can you keep a secret?你能保守秘(祕)密吗(嗎)？ (nǐ néng bǎoshǒu mìmì ma?)
to make no secret of sth不隐(隱)瞒(瞞)某事 (bù yǐnmán mǒushì)
in secret暗地里(裡) (àndì li)
the secret of (sb's) success(某人)成功的秘(祕)诀(訣) ((mǒurén) chénggōng de mìjué)
kept hidden or separate from the knowledge of all or all but a few others
Soldiers have been training at a secret location.
Synonyms
undisclosed
The company has been sold for an undisclosed amount.
unknown
The proposed target of the bomb is unknown.
confidential
She accused them of leaking confidential information.
underground
accused of organizing and financing an underground youth movement
classified
undercover
unpublished
top secret
under wraps
unrevealed
2 (adjective)
Definition
kept hidden or separate from the knowledge of all or all but a few others
It has a secret compartment hidden behind the magical mirror.
Synonyms
concealed
He was filmed with a concealed camera.
hidden
The den was hidden in the undergrowth.
disguised
a disguised tax on immigration
covered
camouflaged
unseen
playing computer games against unseen opponents
Opposites
obvious
,
apparent
,
visible
,
manifest
,
unconcealed
3 (adjective)
Definition
operating without the knowledge of outsiders
I was heading on a secret mission that made my flesh crawl.
Synonyms
undercover
an undercover operation designed to catch drug smugglers
covert
They have been supplying covert military aid to the rebels.
furtive
a furtive glance over her shoulder
shrouded
behind someone's back
conspiratorial
underhand
The Prime Minister had been involved in underhand financial deals.
hush-hush (informal)
Though these meetings were hush-hush there were sometimes leaks.
surreptitious
They had several surreptitious conversations.
cloak-and-dagger
backstairs
Opposites
open
,
public
,
disclosed
,
candid
,
unconcealed
,
manifest
,
overt
4 (adjective)
Definition
secretive
the secret man behind the masks
Synonyms
secretive
He was very secretive about his plans.
reserved
He was unemotional and reserved.
withdrawn
Her husband had become withdrawn and moody.
close
The Colonel was very close about certain episodes in his past.
deep
a deep, dark secret
quiet
Can I have a quiet word with you, son?
silent
He was a serious, silent man.
discreet
enigmatic
reticent
She is so reticent about her achievements.
taciturn
A taciturn man, he replied to my questions in monosyllables.
cagey (informal)
He is cagey about what he was paid for his business.
introverted
unforthcoming
tight-lipped
Officials are tight-lipped about launching an attack.
Opposites
open
,
frank
,
candid
,
public
5 (adjective)
Definition
kept hidden or separate from the knowledge of all or all but a few others
a secret code
Synonyms
mysterious
He died in mysterious circumstances.
cryptic
I wondered just what he meant by that cryptic remark.
abstruse
Meetings keep reverting to discussions about abstruse resolutions.
classified
esoteric
She has published several books on pathworking and other esoteric subjects.
occult
organizations which campaign against paganism and occult practices
clandestine
They are said to have been holding clandestine meetings for years.
arcane
the arcane world of contemporary music
recondite
Her poems are recondite in subject matter.
cabbalistic
Opposites
well-known
,
straightforward
,
exoteric
1 (noun)
Definition
something kept or to be kept hidden
I can't tell you; it's a secret.
Synonyms
private affair
confidence
I'm not in the habit of exchanging confidences with her.
skeleton in the cupboard
2 (noun)
Definition
an underlying explanation or reason
The secret of success is honesty and fair dealing.
Synonyms
key
The key to success is to be ready from the start.
answer
formula
The new peace formula means hostilities have ended.
recipe
3 (noun)
Definition
something unrevealed
The past is riddled with deep dark secrets.
Synonyms
mystery
The source of the crying remained a mystery.
question
The whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
puzzle
the puzzle of why there are no Stone Age cave paintings in Britain
paradox
Death is a paradox, the end yet the beginning.
problem
a mathematical problem
question mark
enigma
This country remains an enigma for the outside world.
conundrum
It was a conundrum with no solution.
phrase
See in secret
related words
related adjectivecryptic
Quotations
They have a skeleton in their closet [William Makepeace Thackeray – The Newcomes]I know that's a secret, for it's whispered every where [William Congreve – Love for Love]For secrets are edged tools, And must be kept from children and from fools [John Dryden – Sir Martin Mar-All]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abstruse
Definition
not easy to understand
Meetings keep reverting to discussions about abstruse resolutions.
Synonyms
obscure,
complex,
confusing,
puzzling,
subtle,
mysterious,
concealed,
abstract,
vague,
deep,
dark,
hidden,
unclear,
ambiguous,
enigmatic,
esoteric,
perplexing,
occult,
opaque,
incomprehensible,
arcane,
hazy,
cryptic,
unfathomable,
recondite,
Delphic,
clear as mud (informal)
in the sense of arcane
Definition
very mysterious
the arcane world of contemporary music
Synonyms
mysterious,
secret,
hidden,
esoteric,
occult,
recondite,
cabbalistic
in the sense of cagey
Definition
reluctant to go into details
He is cagey about what he was paid for his business.
Synonyms
guarded,
reserved,
careful,
cautious,
restrained,
wary,
discreet,
shrewd,
wily,
reticent,
noncommittal,
chary
Synonyms of 'secret'
secret
Explore 'secret' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clandestine
Definition
secret and concealed
They are said to have been holding clandestine meetings for years.
Synonyms
secret,
private,
hidden,
underground,
concealed,
closet,
covert,
sly,
furtive,
underhand,
surreptitious,
stealthy,
cloak-and-dagger,
under-the-counter
in the sense of close
Definition
secretive or reticent
The Colonel was very close about certain episodes in his past.
Synonyms
secretive,
private,
reticent,
taciturn,
uncommunicative,
unforthcoming
in the sense of confidence
I'm not in the habit of exchanging confidences with her.
Synonyms
secret
in the sense of confidential
Definition
spoken or given in confidence
She accused them of leaking confidential information.
Synonyms
secret,
private,
intimate,
classified,
privy (archaic),
off the record,
hush-hush (informal),
closed or closed source,
protected
in the sense of conundrum
Definition
a puzzling question or problem
It was a conundrum with no solution.
Synonyms
puzzle,
problem,
riddle,
enigma,
teaser,
poser,
brain-teaser (informal)
in the sense of covert
Definition
concealed or secret
They have been supplying covert military aid to the rebels.
Synonyms
secret,
private,
hidden,
disguised,
concealed,
veiled,
sly,
clandestine,
underhand,
unsuspected,
surreptitious,
stealthy
in the sense of cryptic
Definition
having a hidden or secret meaning
I wondered just what he meant by that cryptic remark.
Synonyms
mysterious,
dark,
coded,
puzzling,
obscure,
vague,
veiled,
ambiguous,
enigmatic,
perplexing,
arcane,
equivocal,
abstruse,
Delphic,
oracular
in the sense of deep
Definition
difficult to understand
a deep, dark secret
Synonyms
secret,
hidden,
unknown,
mysterious,
concealed,
obscure,
abstract,
veiled,
esoteric,
mystifying,
impenetrable,
arcane,
abstruse,
recondite,
DEp
in the sense of disguised
a disguised tax on immigration
Synonyms
covert,
hidden,
concealed,
sly,
sneaky,
furtive,
underhand,
back-alley
in the sense of enigma
Definition
something or someone that is mysterious or puzzling
This country remains an enigma for the outside world.
Synonyms
mystery,
problem,
puzzle,
riddle,
paradox,
conundrum,
teaser
Additional synonyms
in the sense of esoteric
Definition
understood by only a small number of people, esp. because they have special knowledge
She has published several books on pathworking and other esoteric subjects.
Synonyms
obscure,
private,
secret,
hidden,
inner,
mysterious,
mystical,
mystic,
occult,
arcane,
hypermetric,
cryptic,
inscrutable,
abstruse,
recondite,
cabbalistic
in the sense of formula
Definition
a plan or set of rules for doing or producing something
The new peace formula means hostilities have ended.
Synonyms
method,
plan,
policy,
rule,
principle,
procedure,
recipe,
prescription,
blueprint,
precept,
modus operandi,
way
in the sense of furtive
Definition
sly, cautious, and secretive
a furtive glance over her shoulder
Synonyms
sly,
secret,
hidden,
sneaking,
covert,
cloaked,
behind someone's back,
secretive,
clandestine,
sneaky,
under-the-table,
slinking,
conspiratorial,
skulking,
underhand,
surreptitious,
stealthy
in the sense of hidden
Definition
difficult to find
The den was hidden in the undergrowth.
Synonyms
concealed,
covered,
secret,
covert,
unseen,
clandestine,
secreted,
under wraps,
unrevealed
in the sense of hush-hush
Definition
(esp. of official work) secret and confidential
Though these meetings were hush-hush there were sometimes leaks.
Synonyms
secret,
confidential,
classified,
top-secret,
restricted,
under wraps
in the sense of occult
Definition
involving mystical or supernatural phenomena or powers
organizations which campaign against paganism and occult practices
Synonyms
supernatural,
dark,
magical,
mysterious,
psychic,
mystical,
mystic,
unearthly,
unnatural,
esoteric,
uncanny,
arcane,
paranormal,
abstruse,
recondite,
preternatural,
cabbalistic,
supranatural
in the sense of paradox
Definition
a person or thing that is made up of contradictory elements
Death is a paradox, the end yet the beginning.
Synonyms
contradiction,
mystery,
puzzle,
ambiguity,
anomaly,
inconsistency,
enigma,
oddity,
absurdity
in the sense of problem
Definition
a puzzle or question set for solving
a mathematical problem
Synonyms
puzzle,
question,
riddle,
enigma,
conundrum,
teaser,
poser,
brain-teaser (informal)
in the sense of puzzle
Definition
a problem that cannot be easily solved
the puzzle of why there are no Stone Age cave paintings in Britain
Synonyms
mystery,
problem,
paradox,
enigma,
conundrum
in the sense of question
Definition
a point at issue
The whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
Synonyms
issue,
point,
matter,
subject,
problem,
debate,
proposal,
theme,
motion,
topic,
proposition,
bone of contention,
point at issue
Additional synonyms
in the sense of quiet
Definition
private or secret
Can I have a quiet word with you, son?
Synonyms
discreet,
private,
confidential,
secret,
unofficial,
off the record
in the sense of recondite
Definition
dealing with abstruse or profound subjects
Her poems are recondite in subject matter.
Synonyms
obscure,
involved,
difficult,
deep,
dark,
secret,
hidden,
mysterious,
concealed,
profound,
mystical,
esoteric,
occult,
arcane,
abstruse,
cabbalistic
in the sense of reserved
Definition
not showing one's feelings
He was unemotional and reserved.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
cold,
cool,
retiring,
formal,
silent,
modest,
shy,
cautious,
restrained,
secretive,
aloof,
reticent,
prim,
demure,
taciturn,
unresponsive,
unapproachable,
unsociable,
undemonstrative,
standoffish,
close-mouthed,
unforthcoming
in the sense of reticent
Definition
not willing to say or tell much
She is so reticent about her achievements.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
reserved,
secretive,
unforthcoming,
quiet,
silent,
restrained,
taciturn,
tight-lipped,
unspeaking,
close-lipped,
mum
in the sense of silent
Definition
tending to speak very little
He was a serious, silent man.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
quiet,
taciturn,
tongue-tied,
unspeaking,
nonvocal,
not talkative
in the sense of surreptitious
Definition
done in secret or without permission
They had several surreptitious conversations.
Synonyms
secret,
clandestine,
furtive,
sneaking,
veiled,
covert,
sly,
fraudulent,
unauthorized,
underhand,
stealthy
in the sense of taciturn
Definition
habitually silent, reserved, or uncommunicative
A taciturn man, he replied to my questions in monosyllables.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
reserved,
reticent,
unforthcoming,
quiet,
withdrawn,
silent,
distant,
dumb,
mute,
aloof,
antisocial,
tight-lipped,
close-lipped
in the sense of tight-lipped
Definition
unwilling to give any information
Officials are tight-lipped about launching an attack.
Synonyms
secretive,
reticent,
uncommunicative,
reserved,
quiet,
silent,
mute,
taciturn,
close-mouthed,
unforthcoming,
close-lipped,
mum
in the sense of underground
Definition
secret; clandestine
accused of organizing and financing an underground youth movement
Synonyms
secret,
undercover,
covert,
hidden,
guerrilla,
revolutionary,
concealed,
confidential,
dissident,
closet,
subversive,
clandestine,
renegade,
insurgent,
hush-hush (informal),
surreptitious,
cloak-and-dagger,
hugger-mugger,
insurrectionist,
hole-and-corner (informal),
radical
in the sense of underhand
Definition
sly, deceitful, and secretive
The Prime Minister had been involved in underhand financial deals.