If you are secretive, you like to have secrets and to keep your knowledge, feelings, or intentions hidden.
Billionaires are usually fairly secretive about the exact amount that they're worth. [+ about]
...the secretive world of spying.
Synonyms: reticent, reserved, withdrawn, close More Synonyms of secretive
secretivelyadverb [ADVERB after verb]
...a banknote handed over secretively in the entrance to a building.
secretivenessuncountable noun
He was evasive, to the point of secretiveness.
secretive in British English
(ˈsiːkrɪtɪv)
adjective
inclined to secrecy; reticent
Derived forms
secretively (ˈsecretively)
adverb
secretiveness (ˈsecretiveness)
noun
secretive in American English
(ˈsikrətɪv; occas., and for 2 always, sɪˈkritɪv)
adjective
1.
tending to conceal one's thoughts, feelings, affairs, etc. from others; reticent; not frank or open
2.
secretory
Derived forms
secretively (ˈsecretively)
adverb
secretiveness (ˈsecretiveness)
noun
Word origin
secret + -ive
Examples of 'secretive' in a sentence
secretive
The couple are notoriously secretive about their relationship.
The Sun (2010)
The majority of such funds are highly secretive about their investments.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But show chiefs are notoriously secretive and often use code names.
The Sun (2012)
Most sovereign funds are opaque and highly secretive.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The art world is notoriously secretive.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Hedge fund managers are notoriously secretive.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Getting in and out of the world 's most secretive dictatorship is not easy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The wealth management industry is notoriously secretive and does not publish figures for the performance of clients' portfolios.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The notoriously secretive group has set up a scheme to recruit university students after increased interest from under 25s.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And the report found the secretive nature of the migration policy-making has left voters feeling betrayed and hostile towards politicians.
The Sun (2015)
The fashion industry also appears to be taking lessons from its notoriously secretive counterpart and is pulling a cloak of mystery tightly around its financial affairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Dealers are by nature secretive, and it was he who encouraged the organisation to be more open about life behind the scenes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The jury at Southwark crown court was offered a rare glimpse into the secretive world of bankers' pay packages.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
secretive
British English: secretive ADJECTIVE
If you are secretive, you like to have secrets and to keep your knowledge, feelings, or intentions hidden.
Billionaires are usually fairly secretive about the exact amount that they're worth.
American English: secretive
Brazilian Portuguese: sigiloso
Chinese: 藏而不露的
European Spanish: reservado
French: cachottier
German: verschlossen
Italian: riservato
Japanese: 秘密主義の
Korean: 비밀스러운
European Portuguese: sigiloso
Latin American Spanish: reservado
Chinese translation of 'secretive'
secretive
(ˈsiːkrətɪv)
adj
爱(愛)保密的 (ài bǎomì de)
to be secretive about sth对(對)某事守口如瓶 (duì mǒushì shǒu kǒu rú píng)
(adjective)
Definition
hiding feelings and intentions
He was very secretive about his plans.
Synonyms
reticent
She is so reticent about her achievements.
reserved
He was unemotional and reserved.
withdrawn
Her husband had become withdrawn and moody.
close
The Colonel was very close about certain episodes in his past.
deep
enigmatic
cryptic
cagey (informal)
uncommunicative
My daughter is very difficult, uncommunicative and moody.
unforthcoming
tight-lipped
Officials are tight-lipped about launching an attack.
playing your cards close to your chest
clamlike
Opposites
open
,
frank
,
forthcoming
,
candid
,
expansive
,
communicative
,
unreserved
Additional synonyms
in the sense of close
Definition
secretive or reticent
The Colonel was very close about certain episodes in his past.
Synonyms
secretive,
private,
reticent,
taciturn,
uncommunicative,
unforthcoming
in the sense of reserved
Definition
not showing one's feelings
He was unemotional and reserved.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
cold,
cool,
retiring,
formal,
silent,
modest,
shy,
cautious,
restrained,
secretive,
aloof,
reticent,
prim,
demure,
taciturn,
unresponsive,
unapproachable,
unsociable,
undemonstrative,
standoffish,
close-mouthed,
unforthcoming
in the sense of tight-lipped
Definition
unwilling to give any information
Officials are tight-lipped about launching an attack.
Synonyms
secretive,
reticent,
uncommunicative,
reserved,
quiet,
silent,
mute,
taciturn,
close-mouthed,
unforthcoming,
close-lipped,
mum
Synonyms of 'secretive'
secretive
Explore 'secretive' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of uncommunicative
Definition
disinclined to talk or give information
My daughter is very difficult, uncommunicative and moody.