Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

secrete

verb (1)
se·crete | \si-ˈkrēt \
secreted; secreting

Definition of secrete 

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to form and give off (a secretion)

secrete

verb (2)
se·crete | \si-ˈkrēt, ˈsē-krət\
secreted; secreting

Definition of secrete (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to deposit or conceal in a hiding place

2 : to appropriate secretly : abstract

Choose the Right Synonym for secrete

Verb (2)

hide, conceal, screen, secrete, bury mean to withhold or withdraw from sight. hide may or may not suggest intent. hide in the closet a house hidden in the woods conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge. concealed the weapon screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery. a house screened by trees secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others. secreted the amulet inside his shirt bury implies covering up so as to hide completely. buried the treasure

First Known Use of secrete

Verb (1)

1693, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for secrete

Verb (1)

back-formation from secretion

Verb (2)

alteration of obsolete secret, from secret entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about secrete

Listen to Our Podcast about secrete

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near secrete

Secretary of State

secretary type

secret ballot

secrete

secretin

secret ink

secretion

Statistics for secrete

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for secrete

The first known use of secrete was in 1693

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for secrete

secrete

verb
se·crete | \si-ˈkrēt \
secreted; secreting

Kids Definition of secrete

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to produce and give off as a secretion Some glands secrete mucus.

secrete

verb
secreted; secreting

Kids Definition of secrete (Entry 2 of 2)

: to put in a hiding place

secrete

transitive verb
se·crete | \si-ˈkrēt \
secreted; secreting

Medical Definition of secrete 

: to form and give off (a secretion) cells secreting mucus

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on secrete

See words that rhyme with secrete

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for secrete

Spanish Central: Translation of secrete

Nglish: Translation of secrete for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of secrete for Arabic Speakers

Comments on secrete

What made you want to look up secrete? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

nary

not any or not one

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble-tiles-that-read-scrabble-quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. rogue Trump speculates on Saudi journalist's fate

  2. nepotism Trump muses about Ivanka UN appointment

  3. cloture McConnell motions for Kavanaugh vote

  4. quorum Kavanaugh advances to Senate floor

  5. sequela Ford testifies in front of Senate

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games