Secret — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Secret
Secret (adjective)
- kept from knowledge or view, hidden
- marked by the habit of discretion, closemouthed
- working with hidden aims or methods, undercover
Secret (noun)
- something kept hidden or unexplained, mystery
- something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially with a few
- 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
Secret (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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information shared only with another or with a select few
"you didn't really expect him to keep a secret from his wife, did you?"
-
something hard to understand or explain
"the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids include the construction methods used to lift the huge blocks of stone in place"
-
something that allows someone to achieve a desired goal
"the secret to advancement in this company is hard work and dedication"
Secret (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
"a secret operation to rescue captive soldiers behind enemy lines"
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working on missions in which one's objectives, activities, or true identity are not publicly revealed
"secret agents whose wartime exploits were known only by top government officials"
-
screened or sequestered from view
"a secret cave that is screened by trees"
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not known or meant to be known by the general populace
"proprietary information that the company does its best to keep secret"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Secret
The most common words with a similar meaning to Secret:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Secret
Words with the opposite meaning of Secret:
Near Antonyms of Secret
Word Forms of Secret
Derived words: secretly (adverb)
Origin & Etymology of Secret
Middle English, from Anglo-French secré, secret, from Latin secretus, from past participle of secernere to separate, distinguish, from se- apart + cernere to sift secede, certain
First known use: 14th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Secret
- CEFR level: A2 English Vocabulary — Page 16
- Topics: Deception & Truth
Words & Phrases Containing Secret
Frequently Asked Questions about Secret
What does "Secret" mean?
"Secret" means kept from knowledge or view, hidden. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: kept from knowledge or view, hidden. It has 7 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Secret"?
Other words for "Secret" include confidence, closed book, conundrum, enigma, head-scratcher, mystery, mystification and puzzle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Secret" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Secret"?
There are 121 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Secret". Common alternatives include confidence, closed book, conundrum, enigma, head-scratcher, mystery, mystification, puzzle, puzzlement and riddle.
What is the opposite of "Secret"?
Antonyms of "Secret" include open, overt, public and common. Near antonyms include open secret, acknowledged, avowed and aboveboard.
How do you use "Secret" in a sentence?
Examples of "Secret" in a sentence: "you didn't really expect him to keep a secret from his wife, did you?"; "the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids include the construction methods used to lift the huge blocks of stone in place"; "the secret to advancement in this company is hard work and dedication".
Is "Secret" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Secret" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.
Is "Secret" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As an A2-level word, "Secret" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.
How do you pronounce "Secret"?
"Secret" is pronounced /ˈsē-krət/ and divided into syllables as se·cret.