secret

1 of 2

adjective

se·​cret ˈsē-krət How to pronounce secret (audio)
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
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
In the 20th century, the secret hemophilia of the heir to the Russian empire had a hand in driving the Romanov dynasty to oblivion. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024 Apple Chip Flaw Exposes Secret Encryption Keys Apple’s M-series of chips contain a flaw that could allow an attacker to trick the processor into revealing secret end-to-end encryption keys on Macs, according to new research. Andrew Couts, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2024 Crumpet the pup got into the messy situation after her family member left the cereal cabinet open A dog's secret snacking session turned into an hours-long visit to the groomer. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 According to the indictment, he is accused of hiding more than $20 million in assets in 24 secret accounts at five Swiss banks, including UBS, Credit Suisse and Bank Julius Baer, and failing to report substantial income from these holdings on his tax returns. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 While the council is technically nonpartisan, party politics have not been kept secret. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Talk about a secret treasure hiding in plain sight. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024 The memoir is animated by the question of how Sante kept her identity secret from herself and from others for nearly six decades. Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024 Rumors circulated that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck would show up, likely in the secret back room. Amanda Fortini, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
But the location of her favorite paw paw patch is a secret. Scott Enman, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024 And a terrifying secret that’s been spanning time and space for decades. Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Is introducing more black seed oil into your diet the secret to healthier living? Seed oils as a whole get a bad rap that isn't wholly backed up by nutritional research, experts say. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 According to the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council, the secret lies in the following 12 tips. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024 Observers say the law’s wording has a broad interpretation for what counts as a state secret. Chris Lau, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 Their bond, their secret, extended the injury over a seven-month period of time. Sierra Greer, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 Hong Kong is expanding the term to include information relating to the economic and social development of the city, as well as major policy decisions and scientific technology, mirroring mainland China’s language on state secrets. TIME, 19 Mar. 2024 Read on below: Sheet pans are kitchen workhorses with limitless possibilities The secret to 15-minute meals? Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'secret.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of secret was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near secret

Cite this Entry

“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secret. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

secret

1 of 2 adjective
se·​cret ˈsē-krət How to pronounce secret (audio)
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

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