confidential
adjective
con·fi·den·tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl 
1
: marked by intimacy or willingness to confide
a confidential tone
2
: private, secret
confidential information
3
: entrusted with confidences
a confidential clerk
4
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest compare secret, top secret
confidentiality
ˌkän-fə-ˌden(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē
noun confidentially
ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- behind-the-scenes
- esoteric
- hush-hush
- hushed
- inside
- intimate
- nonpublic
- private
- privy
- secret
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
These documents are completely confidential. “I have something to tell you,” John said in a confidential tone. Her voice was quiet and confidential. She worked as a confidential secretary to the mayor for many years.
Recent Examples on the Web But that cache only heightened concerns when NARA officials found that 14 of them contained a total of 184 documents marked confidential, secret or top secret. 
Alex Leary, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 The confidential agreement followed months of negotiations between the two sides over potential lost pay tied to Zatko’s departure. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Until now, the church has said that all communications between Herrod and Mauzy and church attorneys are confidential under the attorney-client privilege. Michael Rezendes And Jason Dearen, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 The family files a medical malpractice claim and reaches a confidential settlement for an undisclosed amount. BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/. Michael R. Sisak, ajc, 8 Sep. 2022 Arrest records have been sealed and lawyers are under an order keeping the information confidential. Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 Until now, the church has said that all communications between Herrod and Mauzy and church attorneys are confidential under the attorney-client privilege. The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 It is designed to ensure that people experiencing bullying and harassment whilst working in the creative industries can receive confidential advice, mediation and crucially, investigation into the most serious and complex complaints. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 See More
Alex Leary, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 The confidential agreement followed months of negotiations between the two sides over potential lost pay tied to Zatko’s departure. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Until now, the church has said that all communications between Herrod and Mauzy and church attorneys are confidential under the attorney-client privilege. Michael Rezendes And Jason Dearen, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 The family files a medical malpractice claim and reaches a confidential settlement for an undisclosed amount. BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/. Michael R. Sisak, ajc, 8 Sep. 2022 Arrest records have been sealed and lawyers are under an order keeping the information confidential. Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 Until now, the church has said that all communications between Herrod and Mauzy and church attorneys are confidential under the attorney-client privilege. The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 It is designed to ensure that people experiencing bullying and harassment whilst working in the creative industries can receive confidential advice, mediation and crucially, investigation into the most serious and complex complaints. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin confīdentia, taken as base of confidence entry 1 + -al entry 1 (perhaps after French confidentiel)
First Known Use
1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
confidential
adjective
con·fi·den·tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden-shəl
1
: secret entry 1 sense 1
confidential information
2
: indicating a need for secrecy
She spoke in a confidential tone.
3
: trusted with secret matters
a confidential assistant
Legal Definition
confidential
adjective
con·fi·den·tial ˌkän-fi-ˈden-chəl
1
: known or conveyed only to a limited number of people
a confidential disclosure
2
: marked by or indicative of intimacy, mutual trust, or willingness to confide especially between parties one of whom is in a position of superiority
the confidential relationship of doctor and patient
3
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest
confidential
adjective
as in private
not known or meant to be known by the general populace someone leaked confidential government information to the press Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- private
- secret
- classified
- personal
- undisclosed
- nonpublic
- intimate
- esoteric
- hidden
- inside
- restricted
- clandestine
- privy
- hush-hush
- undercover
- concealed
- hushed
- top secret
- unadvertised
- behind-the-scenes
- covert
- collusive
- surreptitious
- conspiratorial
- unsaid
- unmentioned
- silent
- closet
- underground
- untold
- suppressed
- unannounced
- closeted
- silenced
- stealthy
- sneaky
- repressed
- furtive
- sneak
- underhanded
- underhand
- occult
- stifled
- backstage
- offscreen
- offstage
- sneaking
- hugger-mugger
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- public
- open
- common
- disclosed
- general
- publicized
- broadcast
- advertised
- declared
- aired
- reported
- proclaimed
- published
- vulgar
- current
- announced
- popular
- divulged
- widespread
- professed
- prevailing
- communal
- promulgated
- heralded
- prevalent
- blazed
- well-known
- rife
- enunciated
- spotlighted
- shared