secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the condition of being hidden or concealed

2

: the habit or practice of keeping secrets or maintaining privacy or concealment

Synonyms

• secretiveness

Examples of secrecy in a Sentence

this administration's steadfast adherence to secrecy is beginning to cost it the trust of the voters

Recent Examples on the Web

Silence and secrecy are the best friends of abuse. —Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025

But all the secrecy is gone when America watches you on national television. —David Ubben, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025

This environment of mass detentions, human rights violations and secrecy has created a lucrative side business for corrupt official who prey on family members of the imprisoned. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025

Some employees choose to keep their relationship secret because such relationships are banned in their organization, others choose secrecy for privacy reasons or because the relationship is extramarital. —Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier secretie, from Middle English secretee, from secret secret

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing secrecy

• anti-secrecy
• swear (someone) to secrecy
• swear to secrecy

Kids Definition

secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the habit of keeping secrets : secretiveness

2

: the quality or state of being hidden or concealed