► secretknown about by only a few people and kept hidden from others: The report contained secret information. The government held secret meetings with the rebels.
► confidential secret and not intended to be shown or told to other people. Used especially in business, legal, or other official language: These files are confidential and cannot leave the office.
► classified kept secret by the government: The soldier was accused of posting classified information on the Internet.
► sensitive secret and likely to cause problems if people know: The report contained sensitive information on the situation in Iraq.
► covert done secretly, especially by a government organization: The CIA carried out covert operations in the country.
► undercover done secretly by the police in order to catch criminals or find out information: The police mounted an undercover operation to break the drug-smuggling ring.
► clandestine organized and carried out in secret: The two crime bosses held a clandestine meeting in an old warehouse.
► private about your personal life and kept secret from other people: My family problems are private, and I do not wish to discuss them.