secret

se·cret

S0205900 (sē′krĭt)adj.1. a. Kept hidden from knowledge or view; concealed: a secret identity; a secret passageway.b. Not expressed; inward: secret desires.2. a. Given to keeping one's thoughts and activities unknown to others; secretive: "Scrooge ... was secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster" (Charles Dickens).b. Not revealing a secret or not given to revealing secrets: "She boasted ... that he did tell her. But he didn't. He was secret as the grave" (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala).3. a. Operating in a hidden or confidential manner: a secret commission; a secret agent.b. Containing information, the unauthorized disclosure of which poses a grave threat to national security.4. Not much visited; secluded: a secret hiding place.5. a. Known or shared only by the initiated: secret rites.b. Beyond ordinary understanding; mysterious: "like Pan, calling out with his flute to come join in on the secret chaos of the world" (Rick Bass).n.1. Something that is kept out of the knowledge or sight of others or is known only to oneself or a few: wanted to have no secrets between them.2. Something that remains beyond understanding or explanation; a mystery: unlocking the secrets of the atom.3. A method or formula for doing or making something well, especially when not widely known: The secret of this dish is in the sauce.4. Secret A variable prayer said after the Offertory and before the Preface in the Mass.Idiom: in secret Without others knowing.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin sēcrētus, from past participle of sēcernere, to set aside : sē-, apart; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots + cernere, to separate; see krei- in Indo-European roots.]

se′cret·ly adv.Synonyms: secret, stealthy, covert, clandestine, furtive, surreptitious, underhanded
These adjectives mean deliberately hidden from view or knowledge. Secret is the most general: The desk has a secret compartment. The spies conduct secret negotiations.
Stealthy suggests quiet, cautious deceptiveness intended to escape notice: "The males of each community formed temporary parties that regularly patrolled their borders and sometimes made stealthy incursions into the territory of their neighbors" (Jane Goodall).
Covert describes something that is concealed or disguised: Students protested the covert actions undertaken by the CIA.
Clandestine implies stealth and secrecy for the concealment of an often illegal or improper purpose: "The gold was becoming so routine that he'd stopped being clandestine about it" (Jennifer Egan).
Furtive suggests the slyness, shiftiness, and evasiveness of a thief: I took a furtive glance at the papers on the desk.
Something surreptitious is stealthy, furtive, and often unseemly or unethical: "She takes surreptitious sips from a flask in her bag as she waits in the cold" (Mary V. Dearborn).
Underhand implies unfairness, deceit, or slyness as well as secrecy: The politician achieved success by underhand methods.

secret

(ˈsiːkrɪt) adj1. kept hidden or separate from the knowledge of others. 2. known only to initiates: a secret password. 3. hidden from general view or use: a secret garden. 4. able or tending to keep things private or to oneself5. operating without the knowledge of outsiders: a secret society. 6. outside the normal range of knowledgen7. something kept or to be kept hidden8. something unrevealed; mystery9. an underlying explanation, reason, etc, that is not apparent: the secret of success. 10. a method, plan, etc, known only to initiates11. (Ecclesiastical Terms) liturgy a variable prayer, part of the Mass, said by the celebrant after the offertory and before the preface12. in the secret among the people who know a secret[C14: via Old French from Latin sēcrētus concealed, from sēcernere to sift; see secern] ˈsecretly adv

se•cret

(ˈsi krɪt)

adj. 1. done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others. 2. kept from general knowledge: a secret password. 3. carrying out activities in a manner that prevents them from being observed or detected: a secret agent. 4. hidden from sight; concealed: a secret entrance. 5. close-mouthed; secretive. 6. beyond ordinary human understanding; esoteric. 7. designating the security classification below top-secret, or a document so classified. n. 8. something that is secret, hidden, or concealed. 9. a mystery: the secrets of nature. 10. a reason or explanation not readily apparent: the secret of her success. 11. a method, plan, etc., known only to the initiated: a trade secret. 12. (cap.) an inaudible prayer said before the preface during the mass. Idioms: in secret, so as to remain hidden; secretly. [1350–1400; Middle English secrette < Old French secret < Latin sēcrētus hidden, orig. past participle of sēcernere; see secern] se′cret•ly, adv. se′cret•ness, n.

secret

See: security classification.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	secret - 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"info, information - a message received and understoodconfidence - a secret that is confided or entrusted to another; "everyone trusted him with their confidences"; "the priest could not reveal her confidences"open secret - something that is supposed to be secret but is generally known; "their love affair was an open secret"trade secret - a secret (method or device or formula) that gives a manufacturer an advantage over the competition
	2.	secret - information known only to a special group; "the secret of Cajun cooking"arcanuminfo, information - a message received and understoodesoterica - secrets known only to an initiated minoritycabala, cabbala, cabbalah, kabala, kabbala, kabbalah, qabala, qabalah - an esoteric or occult matter resembling the Kabbalah that is traditionally secretcountersign, password, watchword, parole, word - a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group; "he forgot the password"
	3.	secret - something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained; "how it got out is a mystery"; "it remains one of nature's secrets"closed book, enigma, mysteryperplexity - trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
Adj.	1.	secret - not open or public; kept private or not revealed; "a secret formula"; "secret ingredients"; "secret talks"concealed - hidden on any grounds for any motive; "a concealed weapon"; "a concealed compartment in his briefcase"
	2.	secret - conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods; "clandestine intelligence operations"; "cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines"; "hole-and-corner intrigue"; "secret missions"; "a secret agent"; "secret sales of arms"; "surreptitious mobilization of troops"; "an undercover investigation"; "underground resistance"clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hush-hush, undercover, underground, surreptitious, hole-and-corner, hugger-muggercovert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels"
	3.	secret - not openly made known; "a secret marriage"; "a secret bride"unavowedunacknowledged - not recognized or admitted
	4.	secret - communicated covertly; "their secret signal was a wink"; "secret messages"covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels"
	5.	secret - not expressed; "secret (or private) thoughts"privateinward - relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts; "a concern with inward reflections"
	6.	secret - designed to elude detection; "a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole"; "a secret passage"; "the secret compartment in the desk"hiddenconcealed - hidden on any grounds for any motive; "a concealed weapon"; "a concealed compartment in his briefcase"
	7.	secret - hidden from general view or use; "a privy place to rest and think"; "a secluded romantic spot"; "a secret garden"privy, secludedprivate - confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy; "a private place"; "private discussions"; "private lessons"; "a private club"; "a private secretary"; "private property"; "the former President is now a private citizen"; "public figures struggle to maintain a private life"
	8.	secret - (of information) given in confidence or in secret; "this arrangement must be kept confidential"; "their secret communications"confidentialprivate - confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy; "a private place"; "private discussions"; "private lessons"; "a private club"; "a private secretary"; "private property"; "the former President is now a private citizen"; "public figures struggle to maintain a private life"
	9.	secret - indulging only covertly; "a secret alcoholic"covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels"
	10.	secret - having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding; "mysterious symbols"; "the mystical style of Blake"; "occult lore"; "the secret learning of the ancients"mystic, occult, orphic, mysterious, mysticalesoteric - confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle; "a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories"
	11.	secret - the next to highest level of official classification for documentsclassified - official classification of information or documents; withheld from general circulation; "thousands of classified documents have now been declassified"

secret

adjective1. undisclosed, unknown, confidential, underground, classified, undercover, unpublished, top secret, under wraps, unrevealed Soldiers have been training at a secret location.2. concealed, hidden, disguised, covered, camouflaged, unseen It has a secret compartment hidden behind the magical mirror.
concealed obvious, apparent, visible, manifest, unconcealed3. undercover, covert, furtive, shrouded, behind someone's back, conspiratorial, underhand, hush-hush (informal), surreptitious, cloak-and-dagger, backstairs I was heading on a secret mission that made my flesh crawl.
undercover open, public, disclosed, candid, unconcealed, manifest, overt4. secretive, reserved, withdrawn, close, deep, quiet, silent, discreet, enigmatic, reticent, taciturn, cagey (informal), introverted, unforthcoming, tight-lipped the secret man behind the masks
secretive open, frank, candid, public5. mysterious, cryptic, abstruse, classified, esoteric, occult, clandestine, arcane, recondite, cabbalistic a secret code
mysterious well-known, straightforward, exotericnoun1. private affair, confidence, skeleton in the cupboard I can't tell you; it's a secret.2. key, answer, formula, recipe The secret of success is honesty and fair dealing.3. mystery, question, puzzle, paradox, problem, question mark, enigma, conundrum The past is riddled with deep dark secrets.in secret secretly, surreptitiously, slyly, behind closed doors, incognito, by stealth, in camera, huggermugger (archaic) Dan found out that I'd been meeting my ex-boyfriend in secret.Related words
adjective crypticQuotations
"They have a skeleton in their closet" [William Makepeace Thackeray The Newcomes]
"I know that's a secret, for it's whispered every where" [William Congreve Love for Love]
"For secrets are edged tools,"
"And must be kept from children and from fools" [John Dryden Sir Martin Mar-All]

secret

adjective1. Concealed from view:hidden, screened, secluded.2. Existing or operating in a way so as to ensure complete concealment and confidentiality:clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, covert, huggermugger, sub rosa, undercover.Informal: hush-hush.Idiom: under wraps.3. Known about by very few:auricular, confidential, inside, private.Informal: hush-hush.nounA means or method of entering into or achieving something desirable:formula, key, route.Informal: ticket.

Translations

秘密秘密的秘诀

secret

(ˈsiːkrit) adjective hidden from, unknown to, or not told to, other people. a secret agreement; He kept his illness secret from everybody.秘密的 noun1. something which is, or must be kept, secret. The date of their marriage is a secret; industrial secrets.秘密2. a hidden explanation. I wish I knew the secret of her success.秘诀ˈsecrecy noun the state of being or the act of keeping secret. 秘密，保密 ˈsecretive (-tiv) adjective inclined to conceal one's activities, thoughts etc. secretive behaviour. 遮遮掩掩的，偷偷摸摸的 ˈsecretively adverb遮遮掩掩地ˈsecretiveness noun遮掩ˈsecretly adverb in such a way that others do not know, see etc. He secretly copied the numbers down in his notebook.秘密地secret agent a spy. 特务secret police a police force whose activities are kept secret and which is concerned mostly with political crimes. 秘密警察in secret secretly. This must all be done in secret.暗地里keep a secret not to tell (something secret) to anyone else. You can't trust her to keep a secret.保密

secret

→ 秘密zhCN, 秘密的zhCN

secret

best-kept secret

A certain aspect, fact, location, or activity, usually touristic or commercial in nature, that is or purports to be not well known to the public but deserving of praise or attention. The newspaper called the restaurant the city's best-kept secret. While everyone wants to visit the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula is really one of Ireland's best-kept secrets.See also: secret

deep, dark secret

A piece of information that is extremely private and confidential, usually implied to be embarrassing, incriminating, or shameful. I've carried my fear of clowns as a deep, dark secret for many years now. Many saw her as a perfect candidate, but no one could have known she had a deep, dark secret from her past.See also: dark, secret

carry a secret to (one's)/the grave

To keep (not reveal) a secret for the duration of one's life. I can't believe that Grandma carried such a huge family secret to her grave! If Uncle Joe hadn't blurted it out, we'd never have known about it! Oh, Emily is a loyal friend—she would definitely carry a secret to the grave.See also: carry, grave, secret

Can you keep a secret?

A question asked before one discloses confidential information to confirm that the recipient will keep it confidential. A: "Can you keep a secret?" B: "Of course. What's going on?" A: "I'm getting the promotion!"See also: can, keep

take a/the secret to (one's)/the grave

To not reveal a secret for the duration of one's life. I can't believe that grandma took such a huge family secret to her grave! If Uncle Joe hadn't blurted it out, we'd never have known about it! Oh, Emily is a loyal friend—she would definitely take the secret to the grave.See also: grave, secret, take

top secret

Of the utmost secrecy; not to be revealed to anyone, under any circumstances. Hyphenated if used as before a noun. It should go without saying that this information is top secret—do not mention it to anyone, not even your loved ones. The top-secret memo has been at the center of an ongoing controversy within the party over the past few months.See also: secret, top

trade secret

1. Literally, a particular way of making something that a company keeps secret from competitors. The recipe for our famous rib sauce has been a trade secret for decades.2. By extension, any secret one keeps about the way one makes or does something. A: "How do you get the colors in your pictures to turn out so brilliantly?" B: "Sorry, trade secret."See also: secret, trade

open secret

Something that is widely known, although it is not supposed to be. Oh please, everyone knew he was the real leader of the department—that was like an open secret.See also: open, secret

in secret

Away from others; in private. We need to meet in secret so that the paparazzi don't see us together. You better speak to him in secret about that, instead of ambushing him in front of the whole staff.See also: secret

make a secret of (something)

To try to hide something; to keep something secret. I've never made a secret of my plan to eventually sell the company. Don't make a secret of what you're working on—share it with the rest of us!See also: make, of, secret

carry a secret to the grave

and carry a secret to one's graveFig. to never reveal a secret, even to the day of one's death. John carried our secret to his grave. Trust me, I will carry your secret to the grave!See also: carry, grave, secret

Could you keep a secret?

and Can you keep a secret?I am going to tell you something that I hope you will keep a secret. (Also used with can in place of could.) Tom: Could you keep a secret? Mary: Sure. Tom: Don't tell anybody, but I'm going to be a daddy. Sue: Can you keep a secret? Alice: Of course. Sue: We're moving to Atlanta.See also: could, keep

in secret

secretly. They planned in secret to blow up the bridge. I will tell her in secret so no one else will hear.See also: secret

keep a secret

to know a secret and not tell anyone. Please keep our little secret private. Do you know how to keep a secret?See also: keep, secret

make a secret of something

to act as if something were a secret. I'm not making a secret of it. lam quitting this job. Mary made a secret of her intentions.See also: make, of, secret

open secret

something that is supposed to be known only by a few people but is known in fact to a great many people. Their engagement is an open secret. Only their friends are supposed to know, but in fact, the whole town knows. It's an open secret that Max is looking for a new job.See also: open, secret

trade secret

1. Lit. a secret way of making or selling a product; a business secret. The exact formula of the soft drink is a trade secret. 2. Fig. any secret method. (Jocular.) A: How do you manage to sell so many of these each month? B: It's a trade secret.See also: secret, trade

Your secret is safe with me.

I will not tell your secret to anyone. Don't worry. I won't tell. Your secret's safe with me. Your secret is safe with me. I will carry it to my grave.See also: safe, secret

in secret

Unknown to others, privately. For example, They met in secret, or, as Shakespeare put it in Love's Labour's Lost (5:2): "One word in secret." [Second half of 1400s] See also: secret

open secret

Something that is supposedly clandestine but is in fact widely known, as in It's an open secret that both their children are adopted. This expression originated as the title of a Spanish play by Calderón, El Secreto a Voces ("The Noisy Secret"), which was translated by Carlo Gozzi into Italian as Il pubblico secreto (1769). In English the term came into general use during the 1800s. See also: open, secret

take the (or your etc.) secret to the grave

die without revealing a secret.See also: grave, secret, take

an ˌopen ˈsecret

a fact that is supposed to be a secret but that everyone knows: It’s an open secret that they’re getting married.See also: open, secret

ˌtop ˈsecret

used to describe very secret government information: These defence plans are top secret, known only to a very few people. ♢ The file was marked TOP SECRET.See also: secret, top

a ˌtrade ˈsecret

1 a secret about a particular company’s method of production: The ingredients of Coca-Cola are a trade secret.
2 (humorous) a secret about how you make or do something: ‘Can I have a recipe for this cake?’ ‘No, you can’t. It’s a trade secret.’See also: secret, trade

in secret

Without others knowing.See also: secret

open secret, an

Something that is supposedly clandestine but is actually well known. This term was used as the Italian title of a play (Il pubblico secrete) translated by Carlo Gozzi in 1769 from a Spanish play by Calderón de la Barca, El secreto a voces (literally, “the noisy secret”). In English it came into general use in the nineteenth century for a secret in name only.See also: open

secret weapon

A clandestine item or mode of attack unknown to the enemy. The term came into wide use during World War II, when it was rumored that Hitler was going to launch a powerful secret weapon against Great Britain. Subsequently the term was applied to pilotless planes, robot bombs, rockets, and nuclear bombs. Thereafter it entered the civilian vocabulary, where it is used in sports (“Bill’s second serve, stronger than the first, is his secret weapon”) and numerous other activities. Edith Simon had it in The Past Masters (1953): “See the candid camera at work, that misnamed secret weapon.”See also: secret, weapon

secret

se·cret

secret

se•cret

secret

secret

secret

secret

secret

secret

best-kept secret

deep, dark secret

carry a secret to (one's)/the grave

Can you keep a secret?

take a/the secret to (one's)/the grave

top secret

trade secret

open secret

in secret

make a secret of (something)

carry a secret to the grave

Could you keep a secret?

in secret

keep a secret

make a secret of something

open secret

trade secret

Your secret is safe with me.

in secret

open secret

take the (or your etc.) secret to the grave

an ˌopen ˈsecret

ˌtop ˈsecret

a ˌtrade ˈsecret

in secret

open secret, an

secret weapon

secret

secret

Secret

SecRet

secret

Synonyms for secret

adj undisclosed

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adj concealed

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adj undercover

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adj secretive

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adj mysterious

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noun private affair

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noun key

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noun mystery

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phrase in secret

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Synonyms for secret

adj concealed from view

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adj existing or operating in a way so as to ensure complete concealment and confidentiality

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adj known about by very few

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noun a means or method of entering into or achieving something desirable

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Synonyms for secret

noun something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

Related Words

noun information known only to a special group

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Related Words