nnoun.communicationsomething that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)Examples:- the combination to the safe was a secret
- he tried to keep his drinking a secret
Hypernyms:info information
Inherited Hypernyms:secretinformationmessagecommunicationabstractionentity
Direct Hyponyms:confidenceopen secrettrade secret
Full Hyponyms:confidenceopen secrettrade secret
nnoun.communicationinformation known only to a special groupSynset:arcanum
Examples:- the secret of Cajun cooking
Hypernyms:info information
Inherited Hypernyms:secretinformationmessagecommunicationabstractionentity
Direct Hyponyms:cabalacabbalacabbalahcountersignesotericakabalakabbalakabbalahparolepasswordqabalaqabalahwatchwordword
Full Hyponyms:cabalaesotericapassword
nnoun.cognitionsomething that baffles understanding and cannot be explainedSynset:closed book enigma mystery
Examples:- how it got out is a mystery
- it remains one of nature's secrets
Derivationally Related Form:enigmaticenigmaticalmysteriousmystify
Hypernyms:perplexity
Inherited Hypernyms:mysteryperplexityconfusioncognitive statepsychological stateconditionstateattributeabstractionentity
adj satadj.allnot open or public; kept private or not revealedExamples:- a secret formula
- secret ingredients
- secret talks
Antonyms:unconcealed
Inherited Hypernyms:secret
Similar to:concealed
adj satadj.allconducted with or marked by hidden aims or methodsSynset:clandestine cloak-and-dagger hole-and-corner hugger-mugger hush-hush surreptitious undercover underground
Examples:- 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
Antonyms:overt
Derivationally Related Form:underground
Inherited Hypernyms:clandestine
Similar to:covert
adj satadj.allnot openly made knownSynset:unavowed
Examples:- a secret marriage
- a secret bride
Antonyms:acknowledged
Inherited Hypernyms:unavowed
Similar to:unacknowledged
adj satadj.allcommunicated covertlyExamples:- their secret signal was a wink
- secret messages
Antonyms:overt
Inherited Hypernyms:secret
Similar to:covert
adj satadj.allnot expressedSynset:private
Examples:- secret (or private) thoughts
Antonyms:outward
Derivationally Related Form:privateness
Inherited Hypernyms:secret
Similar to:inward
adj satadj.alldesigned to elude detectionSynset:hidden
Examples:- a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole
- a secret passage
- the secret compartment in the desk
Antonyms:unconcealed
Inherited Hypernyms:hidden
Similar to:concealed
adj satadj.allhidden from general view or useSynset:privy secluded
Examples:- a privy place to rest and think
- a secluded romantic spot
- a secret garden
Antonyms:public
Inherited Hypernyms:privy
Similar to:private
adj satadj.all(of information) given in confidence or in secretSynset:confidential
Examples:- this arrangement must be kept confidential
- their secret communications
Antonyms:public
Derivationally Related Form:confidenceconfidentiality
Inherited Hypernyms:confidential
Similar to:private
adj satadj.allindulging only covertlyAntonyms:overt
Inherited Hypernyms:secret
Similar to:covert
adj satadj.allhaving an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understandingSynset:mysterious mystic mystical occult orphic
Examples:- mysterious symbols
- the mystical style of Blake
- occult lore
- the secret learning of the ancients
Antonyms:exoteric
Derivationally Related Form:mysticmysteryoccult
Inherited Hypernyms:mysterious
Similar to:esoteric
adj satadj.allthe next to highest level of official classification for documentsAntonyms:unclassified
Inherited Hypernyms:secret
Similar to:classified