Secret
'siːkrət
Definitions
2 meaningsSomething that is kept hidden from others, or known only to a restricted group.
'siːkrət
Something kept hidden or unknown.
The recipe for the cake is a family secret.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a cool surprise, like a birthday party, and only you and your friend know about it. That surprise is a secret!
👶 For kids: A secret is something you don't tell other people.
More Examples
He kept the secret of the surprise party.
She promised to keep his secret.
How It's Used
"The recipe is a closely guarded secret."
"The government is investigating a breach of official secrets."
Kept or done in secret; not openly known or practiced.
'siːkrət
Not known or seen or done openly.
He had a secret admirer.
💡 Simply: Like a hidden message, a secret plan, or something nobody else knows about. It is private.
👶 For kids: Something hidden or not told to other people.
More Examples
The secret meeting was held in a hidden location.
They exchanged secret glances.
How It's Used
"The secret agent gathered intelligence."
"They had a secret rendezvous."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
secret agent
A person employed by a government or organization to gather information covertly.
"James Bond is a fictional secret agent."
in secret
Done or occurring without others knowing.
"They met in secret."
keep a secret
To not tell others something that is supposed to be kept private.
"She promised to keep a secret about the surprise party."
From Old French *secret*, from Latin *secretum* ('something set apart, secret'), a noun use of the neuter past participle of *secernere* ('to separate').
The word 'secret' has been used since the 14th century in English. It originally referred to something hidden or concealed and often had a religious context.
Memory tip
Think of a hidden treasure map, only the holder of the secret knows where to find the treasure.
Word Origin
"to separate, set apart"