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

However, for many designers, the pitching and publication process often feels shrouded in secrecy. — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026

The secrecy surrounding Google’s work piqued the interest of experts and spurred them to openly reproduce the result. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

One of Eagle's concerns is that the proposals are shrouded in secrecy. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

After 20 years at Guantanamo without charges, alleged Bin Laden associate Abu Zubaydah faces a rare detention review, exposing the secrecy surrounding post-9/11 military justice. — Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

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