secret

Plural: secrets

Noun

• Something kept hidden or known only to a select few.
• something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
  • "the combination to the safe was a secret"
  • "he tried to keep his drinking a secret"
• information known only to a special group
  • "the secret of Cajun cooking"
• something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
  • "it remains one of nature's secrets"
• A piece of knowledge that is hidden and intended to be kept hidden.
• The key or principle by which something is made clear; the knack.
• Something not understood or known.
• Private seclusion.
• The genital organs.
• A form of steel skullcap.
• Any prayer spoken inaudibly and not aloud; especially, one of the prayers in the Tridentine Mass, immediately following the "orate, fratres", said inaudibly by the celebrant.

Adjective Satellite

• not open or public; kept private or not revealed
  • "a secret formula"
  • "secret ingredients"
  • "secret talks"
• conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
  • "secret missions"
  • "a secret agent"
  • "secret sales of arms"
• not openly made known
  • "a secret marriage"
  • "a secret bride"
• communicated covertly
  • "their secret signal was a wink"
  • "secret messages"
• not expressed
  • "secret (or private) thoughts"
• designed to elude detection
  • "a secret passage"
  • "the secret compartment in the desk"
• hidden from general view or use
  • "a secret garden"
• (of information) given in confidence or in secret
  • "their secret communications"
• indulging only covertly
  • "a secret alcoholic"
• having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding
  • "the secret learning of the ancients"
• the next to highest level of official classification for documents

Verb

• To make or keep secret.
• To hide secretly.

Adj

• Being or kept hidden.
• Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.
• Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive, separate, apart.
• Separate; distinct.

Adjective

• Kept hidden or unknown to others; confidential.

Examples

• "Can you keep a secret?" "Yes." "So can I."
• He kept his potential bingo a secret, waiting for the perfect moment to play it.
• He was so scared for his safety he secreted arms around the house.
• The secret to a long-lasting marriage is compromise.
• The secret to winning at Words With Friends is often knowing all the two-letter words.
• The work was done in secret, so that nobody could object.
• We went down a secret passage.

Synonyms

arcanum, clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, closed book, confidential, enigma, hidden, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, mysterious, mystery, mystic, mystical, occult, orphic, private, privy, secluded, surreptitious, unavowed, undercover, underground, dern, hidden and Thesaurus:covert

Antonyms

overt

Related Words

secrete, secretion

Anagrams of secret