secretly
/ˈsiːkrɪtli
/adverb
In a secret way; without others knowing: the two were secretly married in 1751 I was embarrassed, but secretly pleased too...
- Villeneuve says union agents secretly staying at the hotel told him of the practice.
- They had booked a table at a restaurant for dinner and Mr Mears had secretly made plans to propose to her that evening.
- They marked their special day with a family celebration, planned secretly by their children.
Synonyms
covertly, without anyone knowing, in secret, in private, privately, in confidence, confidentially, behind closed doors, behind the scenes, behind someone's back, under cover, under the counter, discreetly, unobserved, quietly, furtively, stealthily, on the sly, on the quiet, privily, conspiratorially, clandestinely, on the side;
Latin sub rosa, in camera
informal on the q.t.
privately, in one's heart, in one's heart of hearts, in one's innermost thoughts