Secretly
/ˈsiːkrətli/
Definitions
In a way that is kept hidden or concealed from others; surreptitiously.
/ˈsiːkrətli/
In a way that is not known or seen by others.
He secretly planned the surprise party for his friend.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a surprise party. You act secretly so the person you're surprising doesn't find out. It's like doing something without anyone else knowing.
👶 For kids: Doing something without anyone else finding out.
More Examples
They met secretly at the cafe to discuss the deal.
The artist secretly added details to the painting.
How It's Used
"She secretly admired him from afar."
"The negotiations were conducted secretly."
"He secretly wrote poems under a pseudonym."
Idioms & expressions
keep something secret
To not tell others something.
"I had to keep her surprise birthday party a secret."
From 'secret' + '-ly'. 'Secret' comes from the Latin 'secretum' meaning 'something set apart, hidden'.
The word 'secretly' has been used in English for centuries, reflecting the long-standing human tendency to conceal information and actions. It gained popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries along with the rise of privacy and individual identity.
Memory tip
Think of a spy keeping a secret, acting SECRETLY to maintain the hidden information.
Word Origin
"Secretum (something set apart, hidden); related to the verb 'cernere' meaning 'to sift, separate, decide'"