secret
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se·cret
(sē′krĭt)adj.
1.
a. Kept hidden from knowledge or view; concealed: a secret identity; a secret passageway.
b. Not expressed; inward: secret desires.
2.
a. Given to keeping one's thoughts and activities unknown to others; secretive: "Scrooge ... was secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster" (Charles Dickens).
b. Not revealing a secret or not given to revealing secrets: "She boasted ... that he did tell her. But he didn't. He was secret as the grave" (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala).
3.
a. Operating in a hidden or confidential manner: a secret commission; a secret agent.
b. Containing information, the unauthorized disclosure of which poses a grave threat to national security.
4. Not much visited; secluded: a secret hiding place.
5.
a. Known or shared only by the initiated: secret rites.
b. Beyond ordinary understanding; mysterious: "like Pan, calling out with his flute to come join in on the secret chaos of the world" (Rick Bass).
n.
Idiom: 1. Something that is kept out of the knowledge or sight of others or is known only to oneself or a few: wanted to have no secrets between them.
2. Something that remains beyond understanding or explanation; a mystery: unlocking the secrets of the atom.
3. A method or formula for doing or making something well, especially when not widely known: The secret of this dish is in the sauce.
4. Secret A variable prayer said after the Offertory and before the Preface in the Mass.
in secret
Without others knowing.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin sēcrētus, from past participle of sēcernere, to set aside : sē-, apart; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots + cernere, to separate; see krei- in Indo-European roots.]
se′cret·ly adv.
Synonyms: secret, stealthy, covert, clandestine, furtive, surreptitious, underhanded
These adjectives mean deliberately hidden from view or knowledge. Secret is the most general: The desk has a secret compartment. The spies conduct secret negotiations.
Stealthy suggests quiet, cautious deceptiveness intended to escape notice: "The males of each community formed temporary parties that regularly patrolled their borders and sometimes made stealthy incursions into the territory of their neighbors" (Jane Goodall).
Covert describes something that is concealed or disguised: Students protested the covert actions undertaken by the CIA.
Clandestine implies stealth and secrecy for the concealment of an often illegal or improper purpose: "The gold was becoming so routine that he'd stopped being clandestine about it" (Jennifer Egan).
Furtive suggests the slyness, shiftiness, and evasiveness of a thief: I took a furtive glance at the papers on the desk.
Something surreptitious is stealthy, furtive, and often unseemly or unethical: "She takes surreptitious sips from a flask in her bag as she waits in the cold" (Mary V. Dearborn).
Underhand implies unfairness, deceit, or slyness as well as secrecy: The politician achieved success by underhand methods.
These adjectives mean deliberately hidden from view or knowledge. Secret is the most general: The desk has a secret compartment. The spies conduct secret negotiations.
Stealthy suggests quiet, cautious deceptiveness intended to escape notice: "The males of each community formed temporary parties that regularly patrolled their borders and sometimes made stealthy incursions into the territory of their neighbors" (Jane Goodall).
Covert describes something that is concealed or disguised: Students protested the covert actions undertaken by the CIA.
Clandestine implies stealth and secrecy for the concealment of an often illegal or improper purpose: "The gold was becoming so routine that he'd stopped being clandestine about it" (Jennifer Egan).
Furtive suggests the slyness, shiftiness, and evasiveness of a thief: I took a furtive glance at the papers on the desk.
Something surreptitious is stealthy, furtive, and often unseemly or unethical: "She takes surreptitious sips from a flask in her bag as she waits in the cold" (Mary V. Dearborn).
Underhand implies unfairness, deceit, or slyness as well as secrecy: The politician achieved success by underhand methods.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
secret
(ˈsiːkrɪt)adj
1. kept hidden or separate from the knowledge of others.
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
n
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. (Ecclesiastical Terms) liturgy a variable prayer, part of the Mass, said by the celebrant after the offertory and before the preface
12. in the secret among the people who know a secret
[C14: via Old French from Latin sēcrētus concealed, from sēcernere to sift; see secern]
ˈsecretly adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
se•cret
(ˈsi krɪt)adj.
1. done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others.
2. kept from general knowledge: a secret password.
3. carrying out activities in a manner that prevents them from being observed or detected: a secret agent.
4. hidden from sight; concealed: a secret entrance.
5. close-mouthed; secretive.
6. beyond ordinary human understanding; esoteric.
7. designating the security classification below top-secret, or a document so classified.
n. 8. something that is secret, hidden, or concealed.
9. a mystery: the secrets of nature.
10. a reason or explanation not readily apparent: the secret of her success.
11. a method, plan, etc., known only to the initiated: a trade secret.
12. (cap.) an inaudible prayer said before the preface during the mass.
Idioms: in secret, so as to remain hidden; secretly.
[1350–1400; Middle English secrette < Old French secret < Latin sēcrētus hidden, orig. past participle of sēcernere; see secern]
se′cret•ly, adv.
se′cret•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
secret
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  secret - something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on); "the combination to the safe was a secret"; "he tried to keep his drinking a secret"info, information - a message received and understood confidence - a secret that is confided or entrusted to another; "everyone trusted him with their confidences"; "the priest could not reveal her confidences" open secret - something that is supposed to be secret but is generally known; "their love affair was an open secret" trade secret - a secret (method or device or formula) that gives a manufacturer an advantage over the competition |
| 2. | secret - information known only to a special group; "the secret of Cajun cooking" info, information - a message received and understood esoterica - secrets known only to an initiated minority cabala, cabbala, cabbalah, kabala, kabbala, kabbalah, qabala, qabalah - an esoteric or occult matter resembling the Kabbalah that is traditionally secret countersign, password, watchword, parole, word - a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group; "he forgot the password" | |
| 3. |  secret - something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained; "how it got out is a mystery"; "it remains one of nature's secrets"perplexity - trouble or confusion resulting from complexity | |
| Adj. | 1. | secret - not open or public; kept private or not revealed; "a secret formula"; "secret ingredients"; "secret talks" concealed - hidden on any grounds for any motive; "a concealed weapon"; "a concealed compartment in his briefcase" |
| 2. |  secret - conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods; "clandestine intelligence operations"; "cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines"; "hole-and-corner intrigue"; "secret missions"; "a secret agent"; "secret sales of arms"; "surreptitious mobilization of troops"; "an undercover investigation"; "underground resistance"clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hush-hush, undercover, underground, surreptitious, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels" | |
| 3. |  secret - not openly made known; "a secret marriage"; "a secret bride"unacknowledged - not recognized or admitted | |
| 4. | secret - communicated covertly; "their secret signal was a wink"; "secret messages" covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels" | |
| 5. | secret - not expressed; "secret (or private) thoughts" inward - relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts; "a concern with inward reflections" | |
| 6. | secret - designed to elude detection; "a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole"; "a secret passage"; "the secret compartment in the desk" concealed - hidden on any grounds for any motive; "a concealed weapon"; "a concealed compartment in his briefcase" | |
| 7. | secret - hidden from general view or use; "a privy place to rest and think"; "a secluded romantic spot"; "a secret garden" private - confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy; "a private place"; "private discussions"; "private lessons"; "a private club"; "a private secretary"; "private property"; "the former President is now a private citizen"; "public figures struggle to maintain a private life" | |
| 8. | secret - (of information) given in confidence or in secret; "this arrangement must be kept confidential"; "their secret communications" private - confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy; "a private place"; "private discussions"; "private lessons"; "a private club"; "a private secretary"; "private property"; "the former President is now a private citizen"; "public figures struggle to maintain a private life" | |
| 9. | secret - indulging only covertly; "a secret alcoholic" covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels" | |
| 10. | secret - having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding; "mysterious symbols"; "the mystical style of Blake"; "occult lore"; "the secret learning of the ancients" esoteric - confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle; "a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories" | |
| 11. | secret - the next to highest level of official classification for documents classified - official classification of information or documents; withheld from general circulation; "thousands of classified documents have now been declassified" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
secret
adjective
1. undisclosed, unknown, confidential, underground, classified, undercover, unpublished, top secret, under wraps, unrevealed Soldiers have been training at a secret location.
2. concealed, hidden, disguised, covered, camouflaged, unseen It has a secret compartment hidden behind the magical mirror.
concealed obvious, apparent, visible, manifest, unconcealed
concealed obvious, apparent, visible, manifest, unconcealed
3. undercover, covert, furtive, shrouded, behind someone's back, conspiratorial, underhand, hush-hush (informal), surreptitious, cloak-and-dagger, backstairs I was heading on a secret mission that made my flesh crawl.
undercover open, public, disclosed, candid, unconcealed, manifest, overt
undercover open, public, disclosed, candid, unconcealed, manifest, overt
4. secretive, reserved, withdrawn, close, deep, quiet, silent, discreet, enigmatic, reticent, taciturn, cagey (informal), introverted, unforthcoming, tight-lipped the secret man behind the masks
secretive open, frank, candid, public
secretive open, frank, candid, public
5. mysterious, cryptic, abstruse, classified, esoteric, occult, clandestine, arcane, recondite, cabbalistic a secret code
mysterious well-known, straightforward, exoteric
mysterious well-known, straightforward, exoteric
noun
1. private affair, confidence, skeleton in the cupboard I can't tell you; it's a secret.
3. mystery, question, puzzle, paradox, problem, question mark, enigma, conundrum The past is riddled with deep dark secrets.
in secret secretly, surreptitiously, slyly, behind closed doors, incognito, by stealth, in camera, huggermugger (archaic) Dan found out that I'd been meeting my ex-boyfriend in secret.
Related words
adjective cryptic
adjective cryptic
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]
"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]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
secret
adjective2. Existing or operating in a way so as to ensure complete concealment and confidentiality:
Informal: hush-hush.
Idiom: under wraps.
3. Known about by very few:
Informal: hush-hush.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
secret
[ˈsiːkrɪt]A. ADJ [plan, ingredient, admirer, mission] → secreto; [information, document] → secreto, confidencial; [drinker, drug addict] → a escondidas
it's all highly secret → todo es de lo más secreto
to keep sth secret → mantener algo en secreto
to keep sth secret from sb → ocultar algo a algn
they held a secret meeting → mantuvieron una reunión en secreto
it's all highly secret → todo es de lo más secreto
to keep sth secret → mantener algo en secreto
to keep sth secret from sb → ocultar algo a algn
they held a secret meeting → mantuvieron una reunión en secreto
B. N → secreto m
the secrets of nature → los misterios de la naturaleza
to do sth in secret → hacer algo en secreto or a escondidas
to be in on the secret → estar en el secreto, estar al corriente
to keep a secret → guardar un secreto
to keep sth a secret from sb → ocultar algo a algn
to let sb into a/the secret → contar or revelar a algn un/el secreto
it's no secret that → no es ningún secreto que ...
there's no secret about it → esto no tiene nada de secreto
to have no secrets from sb → no tener secretos para algn
to make no secret of sth → no ocultar algo
to remain a secret → seguir siendo un secreto
to tell sb a secret → contar un secreto a algn
the secret the secret is to + INFIN → el secreto consiste en + infin
the secret of success → el secreto del éxito
see also open A9
see also state C
the secrets of nature → los misterios de la naturaleza
to do sth in secret → hacer algo en secreto or a escondidas
to be in on the secret → estar en el secreto, estar al corriente
to keep a secret → guardar un secreto
to keep sth a secret from sb → ocultar algo a algn
to let sb into a/the secret → contar or revelar a algn un/el secreto
it's no secret that → no es ningún secreto que ...
there's no secret about it → esto no tiene nada de secreto
to have no secrets from sb → no tener secretos para algn
to make no secret of sth → no ocultar algo
to remain a secret → seguir siendo un secreto
to tell sb a secret → contar un secreto a algn
the secret the secret is to + INFIN → el secreto consiste en + infin
the secret of success → el secreto del éxito
see also open A9
see also state C
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
secret
(ˈsiːkrit) adjective hidden from, unknown to, or not told to, other people. a secret agreement; He kept his illness secret from everybody.secreto
noun1. something which is, or must be kept, secret. The date of their marriage is a secret; industrial secrets.secreto
2. a hidden explanation. I wish I knew the secret of her success.secreto
ˈsecrecy nounˈsecretive (-tiv) adjective inclined to conceal one's activities, thoughts etc. secretive behaviour.reservado, callado, cauteloso
ˈsecretively adverbˈsecretiveness nounˈsecretly adverb in such a way that others do not know, see etc. He secretly copied the numbers down in his notebook.en secreto
secret agent a spy. agente secreto
secret police a police force whose activities are kept secret and which is concerned mostly with political crimes. policía secreta
in secret secretly. This must all be done in secret.en secreto
keep a secret not to tell (something secret) to anyone else. You can't trust her to keep a secret. guardar un secreto
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
secret
→ secretoMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009