Definition of secret
1a : kept from knowledge or view : hiddenb : marked by the habit of discretion : closemouthedc : working with hidden aims or methods : undercover a secret agentd : not acknowledged : unavowed a secret bridee : 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
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of secret in a Sentence
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.
Synonym Discussion of secret
secret
Definition of secret
1a : something kept hidden or unexplained : mysteryb : something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially with a fewc : a method, formula, or process used in an art or operation and divulged only to those of one's own company or craft : trade secretd 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
in secret
: in a private place or manner
Examples of secret in a Sentence
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
14th Century
First Known Use of secret
14th century
SECRET Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of secret for English Language Learners
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: kept hidden from others : known to only a few people
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: keeping information hidden from others
secret
Definition of secret for English Language Learners
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: a fact or piece of information that is kept hidden from other people
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: a special or unusual way of doing something to achieve a good result
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: something that cannot be explained
SECRET Defined for Kids
Definition of secret for Students
1 : hidden from the knowledge of others a secret staircase Keep your plans secret.
2 : done, made, or working in a way that no other or only a few other people know about a secret attack a secret agent
secretly
adverbDefinition of secret for Students
: something kept or planned to be kept from others' knowledge
Learn More about secret
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for secret Spanish Central: Translation of secret Nglish: Translation of secret for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of secret for Arabic speakers
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