secretive

1 of 2

adjective

se·​cre·​tive ˈsē-krə-tiv 

si-ˈkrē-

: disposed to secrecy : not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun

secretiveness

2 of 2

noun

se·​cre·​tive·​ness

-ivnə̇s, 

-ēv- also -əv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being secretive

Synonyms of secretive

Adjective

• silent
• quiet
• close
• reticent
• uncommunicative
• closemouthed
• dark

Choose the Right Synonym for secretive

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking.

silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

Examples of secretive in a Sentence

Adjective

He's very secretive about his work.

the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Opponents have criticized the project as the brainchild of secretive billionaires who bought up land via a shell company and tried to influence the state for support by hiring lobbyists close to the governor. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

As aldermen badgered the buyer, seller and Johnson’s top lawyers during the no-vote hearing, some zeroed in on the mayor, accusing his team of being unnecessarily secretive. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

And so there's a little bit of a debate going on right now about the degree to which Americans' safety is going to be in danger depending on how these secretive courts rule about extending or renewing other certifications. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Scar is secretive, strategic and envious of his brother Mufasa. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

back-formation from secretiveness, partial translation of French secrétivité

Noun

partial translation of French secrétivité, from secrétiv- (from secret, noun + -if -ive) + -ité -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

secretive

adjective

se·​cre·​tive ˈsē-krət-iv 

si-ˈkrēt-

: having a tendency toward secrecy and concealment : not frank or open

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun