English dictionary



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English adjective: secret

1. secret not open or public; kept private or not revealed


SamplesA secret formula.
Secret ingredients.
Secret talks.


Similarconcealed


Antonymsunconcealed

2. secret conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods


SamplesClandestine 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.


Synonymsclandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, surreptitious, undercover, underground


Similarcovert


Antonymsovert, open

3. secret not openly made known


SamplesA secret marriage.
A secret bride.


Synonymsunavowed


Similarunacknowledged


Antonymsacknowledged

4. secret communicated covertly


SamplesTheir secret signal was a wink.
Secret messages.


Similarcovert


Antonymsovert, open

5. secret not expressed


SamplesSecret (or private) thoughts.


Synonymsprivate


Similarinward


Antonymsoutward

6. secret designed to elude detection


SamplesA hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole.
A secret passage.
The secret compartment in the desk.


Synonymshidden


Similarconcealed


Antonymsunconcealed

7. secret hidden from general view or use


SamplesA privy place to rest and think.
A secluded romantic spot.
A secret garden.


Synonymsprivy, secluded


Similarprivate


Antonymspublic

8. secret (of information) given in confidence or in secret


SamplesThis arrangement must be kept confidential.
Their secret communications.


Synonymsconfidential


Similarprivate


Antonymspublic

9. secret indulging only covertly


SamplesA secret alcoholic.


Similarcovert


Antonymsovert, open

10. secret having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding


SamplesMysterious symbols.
The mystical style of Blake.
Occult lore.
The secret learning of the ancients.


Synonymsmysterious, mystic, mystical, occult, orphic


Similaresoteric


Antonymsexoteric

11. secret the next to highest level of official classification for documents


Similarclassified


Antonymsunclassified


English noun: secret

1. secret (communication) something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)


SamplesThe combination to the safe was a secret.
He tried to keep his drinking a secret.


Broader (hypernym)info, information


Narrower (hyponym)confidence, open secret, trade secret

2. secret (communication) information known only to a special group


SamplesThe secret of Cajun cooking.


Synonymsarcanum


Broader (hypernym)info, information


Narrower (hyponym)cabala, cabbala, cabbalah, countersign, esoterica, kabala, kabbala, kabbalah, parole, password, qabala, qabalah, watchword, word

3. secret (cognition) something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained


SamplesHow it got out is a mystery.
It remains one of nature's secrets.


Synonymsclosed book, enigma, mystery


Broader (hypernym)perplexity









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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