secret

1 of 2

adjective

se·​cret ˈsē-krət 

1

a

: kept from knowledge or view : hidden

b

: marked by the habit of discretion : closemouthed

c

: working with hidden aims or methods : undercover

a secret agent

d

: not acknowledged : unavowed

a secret bride

e

: conducted in secret

a secret trial

2

: remote from human frequentation or notice : secluded

3

: revealed only to the initiated : esoteric

4

: designed to elude observation or detection

a secret panel

5

: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger national security compare confidential, top secret

secretly adverb

secret

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: something kept hidden or unexplained : mystery

b

: something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially with a few

c

: a method, formula, or process used in an art or operation and divulged only to those of one's own company or craft : trade secret

d

secrets plural : the practices or knowledge making up the shared discipline or culture of an esoteric society

2

: a prayer traditionally said inaudibly by the celebrant just before the preface of the mass

3

: something taken to be a specific or key to a desired end

the secret of longevity

Phrases

in secret

: in a private place or manner

Synonyms

Adjective

• backstairs
• behind-the-scenes
• clandestine
• covert
• furtive
• hole-and-corner
• hugger-mugger
• hush-hush
• private
• privy
• sneak
• sneaking
• sneaky
• stealth
• stealthy
• surreptitious
• undercover
• underground
• underhand
• underhanded

Noun

• confidence

Choose the Right Synonym for secret

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation.

secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Examples of secret in a Sentence

Adjective

Her secret wish is to become a senator.

The message was written in secret code.

I don't know the secret password.

He was sent on a secret mission.

They engaged in secret negotiations with the enemy.

She tried to keep her marriage secret.

They've been very secret about their plans.

Noun

Don't tell him about the party—it's a secret.

I'm going to tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else.

You always look great. What's your secret?

She shared her beauty secrets with the group.

The secret to a good sauce is the base.

the secrets of the universe

one of nature's greatest secrets

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Nor is there a secret shortcut that nobody told you about. —Eliza Brooke, Vox, 23 May 2025

Who wouldn’t buy anything O’Connor, with his darling secret smile, tells them? —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025

Noun

Surprised that John exposed her secret, Claire explains. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 24 May 2025

To have this ability to contain secrets but to withhold them and have this facade with Michaela that’s totally different than the relationship with her sister, to keep all those plates spinning, that’s a tall order. —Lauren Coates, Variety, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French secré, secret, from Latin secretus, from past participle of secernere to separate, distinguish, from se- apart + cernere to sift — more at secede, certain

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing secret

• best-kept secret
• dirty little secret
• in secret
• keep a secret
• let someone in on a (little) secret
• make no secret of
• no secret
• open secret
• poorly kept secret
• secret admirer
• secret agent
• secret ballot
• secret is safe with (someone)
• secret lover
• secret partner
• secret police
• secret sauce
• secret service
• secret society
• secret to someone's success
• the secret police
• top secret
• trade secret
• well-kept secret

Kids Definition

secret

1 of 2 adjective

se·​cret ˈsē-krət 

1

a

: hidden or kept from knowledge or view

b

: working in secret as a spy or detective : undercover

a secret agent

2

: secluded sense 1

a secret valley

secretly adverb

secret

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: something that cannot be explained : mystery

b

: something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only privately with a few

2

: something taken to be necessary to gain a desired end

the secret of a long life