confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl 

1

a

: intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class : private, secret

confidential information

b

: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest compare secret, top secret

2

: marked by intimacy or willingness to confide

a confidential tone

3

: entrusted with confidences (see confidence sense 4)

a confidential clerk

confidentiality

ˌkän-fə-ˌden(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

confidentially

ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• behind-the-scenes
• esoteric
• hush-hush
• hushed
• inside
• intimate
• nonpublic
• private
• privy
• secret

Examples of confidential in a Sentence

These documents are completely confidential.

“I have something to tell you,” John said in a confidential tone.

Her voice was quiet and confidential.

She worked as a confidential secretary to the mayor for many years.

Recent Examples on the Web

George Gascón, accusing her of mishandling the confidential records of 11 sheriff’s deputies. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024

As part of the deal, Oracle has reviewed TikTok’s confidential source code, the proprietary and highly valuable recommendation algorithm that powers its For You page. —Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024

But researchers who analyze trading data say corporate executives broadly profit from confidential information. —David Streitfeld, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024

This data includes personal and confidential information that election workers use to oversee elections at their precincts. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024

Although the jurors’ names are being kept confidential, the woman said her family members and friends questioned her about being a juror. —TIME, 18 Apr. 2024

This person placed that bet only after Porter disclosed confidential information about his health status, the league said. —CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024

Portillo settled her lawsuit with Urban Alchemy; the terms are confidential. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

Independent investigator found Dan Quirk badgered city employees and consultants and failed to follow city policies DEL MAR — Del Mar City Councilmember Dan Quirk this week was censured a second time by his colleagues, this time for bullying city employees and releasing confidential information. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin confīdentia, taken as base of confidence entry 1 + -al entry 1 (perhaps after French confidentiel)

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden-chəl 

1

: secret entry 1 sense 1a, private

confidential information

2

: indicating or suggesting closeness : intimate

a confidential tone of voice

3

: trusted with secret matters

a confidential secretary

confidentially

-ˈdench-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fi-ˈden-chəl 

1

: known or conveyed only to a limited number of people

a confidential disclosure

2

: marked by or indicative of intimacy, mutual trust, or willingness to confide especially between parties one of whom is in a position of superiority

the confidential relationship of doctor and patient

3

: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest

confidentiality

ˌkän-fi-ˌden-chē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

confidentially adverb