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 of secrecy

• 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

There is always a master plan shrouded in secrecy and protected by code words. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025

The Rosenthals were torn between celebrating the hotel’s history and honoring its reputation for discretion and secrecy. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025

That order of operations lent a cloak of secrecy to the high-profile visit. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 10 Nov. 2025

Before the regular season started, the availability of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was shrouded in so much secrecy that, at one point, there was a running conspiracy theory that he had been cloned. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 10 Nov. 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