Origin: 1200-1300 Old French, past participle of covrir; ➔ COVER1
Thesaurus
THESAURUSknown about by only a few people and kept hidden from others►secret
known about by only a few people and kept hidden from others: The report contained secret information. The government held secret meetings with the rebels.
►confidential
secret and not intended to be shown or told to other people. Used especially in business, legal, or other official language: These files are confidential and cannot leave the office.
►classified
kept secret by the government: The soldier was accused of posting classified information on the Internet.
►sensitive
secret and likely to cause problems if people know: The report contained sensitive information on the situation in Iraq.
►covert
done secretly, especially by a government organization: The CIA carried out covert operations in the country.
►undercover
done secretly by the police in order to catch criminals or find out information: The police mounted an undercover operation to break the drug-smuggling ring.
►clandestine
organized and carried out in secret: The two crime bosses held a clandestine meeting in an old warehouse.
►private
about your personal life and kept secret from other people: My family problems are private, and I do not wish to discuss them.
secret or hiddenOPP overt: covert operations against the government► see thesaurus at secret1—covertly adverb