Entry Word: secret

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others <a secret operation to rescue captive soldiers behind enemy lines>

Synonyms clandestine, covert, furtive, hugger-mugger, private, privy, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, underground, underhand, underhanded

Related Words classified, confidential, restricted, top secret, undisclosed; concealed, hidden, secreted, subterranean, unadvertised, unexposed

Near Antonyms acknowledged, avowed; aboveboard, straightforward, unconcealed, undisguised; unclassified, unrestricted; clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, plain

Antonyms open, overt, public

2 working on missions in which one's objectives, activities, or true identity are not publicly revealed <secret agents whose wartime exploits were known only by top government officials>

Synonyms undercover

Related Words covert, private, secretive, subterranean

Near Antonyms overt

3 hidden from view <a secret cave that is screened by trees> — see secluded
4 not known or meant to be known by the general populace <secret information that its business rivals would love to have> — see private 1