¹secret

adjective se·cret \ˈsē-krət\

: kept hidden from others : known to only a few people

: keeping information hidden from others

Full Definition of SECRET

a : kept from knowledge or view : hidden

b : marked by the habit of discretion : closemouthed

c : working with hidden aims or methods : undercover <a secret agent>

d : not acknowledged : unavowed <a secret bride>

e : 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

— se·cret·ly adverb

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Origin of SECRET

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: 14th century

Related to SECRET

Synonyms: backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private, privy, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealth, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underground, underhand, underhanded

Antonyms: open, overt, public

Synonym Discussion of 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>.