Confidential
/ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsIntended to be kept secret or private.
/ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃəl/
Meant to be kept secret.
The documents contain confidential information about the company's strategies.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a secret, like a password or a surprise party plan. 'Confidential' means it's important to keep that information to yourself.
👶 For kids: If something is confidential, it means it's a secret and you shouldn't tell anyone else.
More Examples
He was given a confidential assignment to investigate the matter.
The bank keeps your financial details confidential.
How It's Used
"The lawyer shared confidential information with his client."
"The company's financial reports are considered confidential."
"She shared a confidential secret with her best friend."
Trusting someone with secrets.
/ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃəl/
Showing that one is trusted with secrets.
He was a confidential advisor to the President.
💡 Simply: This describes someone you can trust with secrets, someone who will keep your personal information private, like a good friend or a therapist.
👶 For kids: If someone is confidential, it means they are trustworthy and can keep secrets.
More Examples
She valued his confidential nature above all else.
How It's Used
"She was a confidential friend and confidante."
Idioms & expressions
In confidence
With the understanding that something will be kept secret.
"He told me the news in confidence, so I can't share it with anyone else."
From Late Latin *confidentiālis*, from *confidentia* ('trust, confidence'), from *confidere* ('to trust').
The term has been used to refer to private matters since the 16th century, originally with connotations of trust and secrecy.
Memory tip
Think of a secret code, only understood by a few.