Pronunciation

/səˈkrɛt/

Definitions

Noun

A secret is:

1. Something that is known only to a few people and not generally shared: She保守了一个秘密 about her vacation plans.
2. An important or confidential piece of information: The government has classified some military secrets.

Verb

To keep a secret is to maintain confidentiality or不说出: He promised to keep the secret to himself. To reveal a secret is to disclose what was previously unknown: She finally revealed her family’s secret.

Adjective

• Secretive (adj): Tending to keep things hidden or private: He was a very secretive person.
• Confidential (adj): Intended for private communication and not to be shared: Please handle this matter with utmost confidentiality.

Phrases

• “Keep a secret” means to maintain discretion or not disclose information.
• “Letting the cat out of the bag” is a colloquial expression for revealing a secret.
• “Break a confidence” is when someone shares a secret they were entrusted with.

Example Sentences

• Noun: She was surprised when he told her the whole story, as if he had let out a long-held secret.
• Verb: He swore to keep the recipe for his grandmother’s famous cake a secret.
• Adjective: The spy agency maintained a highly secretive network of agents.

Synonyms

• Confidential
• Hidden
• Secretive
• Hush-hush
• Top-secret
• Untold
• Confidentiality
• Privacy