confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
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
confidentially adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her usual duties included accessing confidential deputy records and internal affairs investigations. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 The city argued the policy was confidential, and would interfere with the department’s ability to fight crime. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025 Customer data, business/organizational confidential data, sensitive payment data and trade secrets will continue to need protection. Monzy Merza, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Responses to the surveys are kept confidential, with Energage sharing the results to companies in private, as a way to encourage businesses to participate. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for confidential

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of confidential was in 1740

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!