secret

(noun, adjective, verb)

adjective

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

- a secret formula

- secret ingredients

- secret talks

Similar word(s): concealed

2. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods

- secret missions

- a secret agent

- secret sales of arms

Similar word(s): covert, clandestine, surreptitious, undercover, underground

3. not openly made known

- a secret marriage

- a secret bride

Similar word(s): unacknowledged, unavowed

4. communicated covertly

- their secret signal was a wink

- secret messages

Similar word(s): covert

5. not expressed

- secret (or private) thoughts

Similar word(s): inward, private

6. designed to elude detection

- a secret passage

- the secret compartment in the desk

Similar word(s): concealed, hidden

7. hidden from general view or use

- a secret garden

Similar word(s): private, privy, secluded

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

- their secret communications

Similar word(s): private, confidential

9. indulging only covertly

- a secret alcoholic

Similar word(s): covert

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

- the secret learning of the ancients

Similar word(s): esoteric, mysterious, mystic, mystical, occult, orphic

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

Similar word(s): classified

Sentences with secret as an adjective:

- We went down a secret passage.

noun

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

- the combination to the safe was a secret

- he tried to keep his drinking a secret

Definition categories: communication, info, information

2. information known only to a special group

- the secret of Cajun cooking

Similar word(s): arcanum

Definition categories: communication, info, information

3. something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

- it remains one of nature's secrets

Similar word(s): enigma, mystery

Definition categories: thought, perplexity

Sentences with secret as a noun:

- Can you keep a secret? So can I.

verb

1. (transitive) To make or keep secret. [from late 16th c.]

2. (transitive) To hide secretly.

- He was so scared for his safety he secreted arms around the house.