confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl 

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

confidentiality

ˌkän-fə-ˌden(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

confidentially

ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of confidential

• private
• secret
• classified
• personal
• undisclosed
• esoteric
• intimate

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

The city is under no obligation to assist with billing questions or pay providers in any way, according to the confidential agreement dentists must sign to work in CPS schools. —Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

All calls will be kept confidential. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026

The agency has challenged the subpoena, arguing the bid for the arbitration decision is an end-run around the confidential nature of the proceedings. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026

In response to records requests, his office has cited a range of laws, including one about presentments remaining confidential while a court works out whether a request to repress them should be granted. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for confidential

• differential
• inessential
• inferential
• pestilential
• quintessential
• unessential
• equipotential
• experiential
• geopotential
• jurisprudential
• nonresidential
• overpotential

Kids Definition

confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden-chəl 

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

-ˈdench-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fi-ˈden-chəl 

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

ˌkän-fi-ˌden-chē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

confidentially adverb