secret

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adjective

se·cret ˈsē-krət

: kept from knowledge or view : hidden

: marked by the habit of discretion : closemouthed

: working with hidden aims or methods : undercover

a secret agent

: not acknowledged : unavowed

a secret bride

: conducted in secret

a secret trial

: remote from human frequentation or notice : secluded

: revealed only to the initiated : esoteric

: designed to elude observation or detection

a secret panel

: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger national security compare confidential, top secret

secretly adverb

secret

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noun

: something kept hidden or unexplained : mystery

: something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially with a few

: a method, formula, or process used in an art or operation and divulged only to those of one's own company or craft : trade secret

secrets plural : the practices or knowledge making up the shared discipline or culture of an esoteric society

: a prayer traditionally said inaudibly by the celebrant just before the preface of the mass

: something taken to be a specific or key to a desired end

the secret of longevity

Phrases

in secret

: in a private place or manner

Choose the Right Synonym for secret

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation.

secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Example Sentences

Adjective Her secret wish is to become a senator. The message was written in secret code. I don't know the secret password. He was sent on a secret mission. They engaged in secret negotiations with the enemy. She tried to keep her marriage secret. They've been very secret about their plans. Noun Don't tell him about the party—it's a secret. I'm going to tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else. You always look great. What's your secret? She shared her beauty secrets with the group. The secret to a good sauce is the base. the secrets of the universe one of nature's greatest secrets See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In a secret cable to Washington, then-US ambassador James Lilley argued that Washington’s overarching goal had blinded it to the real nature of the Chinese regime.

Stephen Collinson, CNN, 30 Nov. 2022 The model employed a super-secret styling hack that can transform any uber-comfy 'fit into a fashion moment by tossing a full-length leather coat over her knit set.

Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 30 Nov. 2022 Aubrey Plaza co-stars as one of Harper's secret ex-girlfriends.

Amy Mackelden, ELLE, 30 Nov. 2022 Just a couple years ago, their talk of Marxism, government crackdowns and secret plans to destroy family values would have put them at the far fringes of the Republican party.

Tim Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 30 Nov. 2022 Galimberti says that the popularity of internet theories has lead people to take sleuthing too far — and infer that even innocuous photos with or about children are clues about secret pedophilia messaging.

Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2022 But there will be other vulnerabilities, and other secret weapons to exploit them.

Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2022 In a secret workshop, K showed fragments of two Shaheds, including parts that appeared to be made in the United States, Asia and Europe, despite sanctions limiting Iran’s access to such technology.

Michael E. Miller And Anastacia Galouchkam, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Nov. 2022 The couple married in 1988 during a top-secret ceremony at his ranch in Jupiter, Florida, which was documented by PEOPLE.

Alexia Fernández, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2022

Noun

He was listed as missing at the time, but some four months after the honor was bestowed in secret, his name was included in a partial list of POWs provided by the Chinese.

Richard Goldstein, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2022 After the announcement of the deal, which had been negotiated in secret, France briefly recalled its ambassador to Washington.

Aamer Madhani, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Nov. 2022 The airy tinkling sound that gives the Sugar Plum Fairy’s solo an aspect of the supernatural was produced by a celesta, a French keyboard instrument that Tchaikovsky asked his publisher to order from Paris, in secret.

Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2022 Despite dating in secret for several years, rumors of their romance spread following their attendance at the Queen's coronation, following the death of King George the previous year.

Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 Nov. 2022 Namor is Marvel’s newest villain — a mutant leading a powerful underwater nation that’s been living in secret for hundreds of years.

Chris Smith, BGR, 13 Nov. 2022 In the aftermath, Catholics were forced to practice their faith in secret.

CNN, 5 Nov. 2022 This vibrant book showcases a collection of work by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife who lived in her husband's shadow and created art in secret.

The Editors, Town & Country, 3 Nov. 2022 Instead of going to the police to press charges against August, who is now second in line for the throne, which would tear their families apart further, Simon agrees to date Wilhelm in secret.

Max Gao, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'secret.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French secré, secret, from Latin secretus, from past participle of secernere to separate, distinguish, from se- apart + cernere to sift — more at secede, certain

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of secret was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century