secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the condition of being hidden or concealed

2

: the habit or practice of keeping secrets or maintaining privacy or concealment

Synonyms

• secretiveness

Examples of secrecy in a Sentence

this administration's steadfast adherence to secrecy is beginning to cost it the trust of the voters

Recent Examples on the Web

Born in Gyula, Hungary, in 1954, Krasznahorkai’s early life was shaped by the secrecy surrounding his Jewish heritage and his resistance to Hungary’s communist regime. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

As other coaches commit to secrecy, Rhule promotes transparency. —Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

Concerns from the community included the project's initial secrecy, a lack of specific details, and the rapid pace of the approval process. —Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025

Over on her own page, Deahl reshared the post to her Instagram Stories with a few sentences addressing the secrecy. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier secretie, from Middle English secretee, from secret secret

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing secrecy

• anti-secrecy
• swear (someone) to secrecy
• swear to secrecy

Kids Definition

secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the habit of keeping secrets : secretiveness

2

: the quality or state of being hidden or concealed