confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
1
: marked by intimacy or willingness to confide
a confidential tone
2
: private, secret
confidential information
3
: entrusted with confidences
a confidential clerk
4
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest compare secret, top secret
confidentially adverb

Example Sentences

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 In his briefcase were about 65 confidential documents. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Feb. 2023 In his briefcase were some 65 confidential documents. Clay Risen, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2023 These include using strong, unique passwords, avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments and avoiding using public Wi-Fi networks when conducting sensitive activities such as banking or uploading confidential documents. David Carmiel, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 McCarthy said Jordan's new subcommittee was necessary to investigate questions such as why the FBI searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate but not Biden's home or office for confidential documents. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2023 Grandmother McLeland said keeping the documents confidential would protect both parties involved, according to WTHR. Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2022 In what may have been the most witty and political costumes, Antoni Porowski and Kevin Harrington dressed as Mar-a-Lago staff, complete with confidential documents stuffed in their shorts. Vogue, 31 Oct. 2022 Known as the 'Guacamaya Leaks', the confidential documents from the Mexican government show how military officials sold technical equipment, weapons and key information about rival gangs to cartels. Armando Regil Velasco, Fox News, 18 Oct. 2022 The team also reviewed tens of thousands of pages of records, including sealed affidavits and other confidential documents that outline law enforcement’s best evidence. Chicago Tribune, 22 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confidential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of confidential was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near confidential

Cite this Entry

“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 8 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

confidential

adjective
con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden-chəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
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 adverb

Legal Definition

confidential

adjective
con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fi-ˈden-chəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
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 noun
confidentially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on confidential

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