secret
1. something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on) (Freq. 9)
- the combination to the safe was a secret
- he tried to keep his drinking a secret
• Hypernyms:
information, info
• Hyponyms:
confidence, open secret, trade secret
2. something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
- how it got out is a mystery
- it remains one of nature's secrets
• Syn:
mystery, enigma, closed book
• Derivationally related forms:
enigmatic (for: enigma), enigmatical (for: enigma), mysterious (for: mystery), mystify (for: mystery)
• Hypernyms:
perplexity
3. information known only to a special group
- the secret of Cajun cooking
• Syn:
arcanum
• Hypernyms:
information, info
• Hyponyms:
esoterica, cabala, cabbala, cabbalah, kabala,
kabbala, kabbalah, qabala, qabalah, password, watchword,
word, parole, countersign
1. not open or public;
kept private or not revealed (Freq. 10)
- a secret formula
- secret ingredients
- secret talks
• Similar to:
concealed
2. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods (Freq. 2)
- clandestine 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
• Syn:
clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush,
surreptitious, undercover, underground
• Similar to:
covert
• Derivationally related forms:
underground (for: underground)
3. not openly made known (Freq. 2)
- a secret marriage
- a secret bride
• Syn:
unavowed
• Similar to:
unacknowledged
4. communicated covertly (Freq. 1)
- their secret signal was a wink
- secret messages
• Similar to:
covert
5. not expressed (Freq. 1)
- secret (or private) thoughts
• Syn:
private
• Similar to:
inward
• Derivationally related forms:
privateness (for: private)
6. designed to elude detection
- a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole
- a secret passage
- the secret compartment in the desk
• Syn:
hidden
• Similar to:
concealed
7. (of information) given in confidence or in secret
- this arrangement must be kept confidential
- their secret communications
• Syn:
confidential
• Similar to:
private
• Derivationally related forms:
confidence (for: confidential), confidentiality (for: confidential)
8. having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence;
beyond ordinary understanding
- mysterious symbols
- the mystical style of Blake
- occult lore
- the secret learning of the ancients
• Syn:
mysterious, mystic, mystical, occult, orphic
• Similar to:
esoteric
• Derivationally related forms:
occult (for: occult), mystic (for: mystical), mystic (for: mystic), mystery (for: mysterious)
9. hidden from general view or use
- a privy place to rest and think
- a secluded romantic spot
- a secret garden
• Syn:
privy, secluded
• Similar to:
private
10. indulging only covertly
- a secret alcoholic
• Similar to:
covert
11. the next to highest level of official classification for documents
• Similar to:
classified
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