secret Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun 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
  2. noun information known only to a special group
    arcanum.
    • the secret of Cajun cooking
  3. noun something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
    mystery; closed book; enigma.
    • how it got out is a mystery
    • it remains one of nature's secrets
  4. adjective satellite not open or public; kept private or not revealed
    • a secret formula
    • secret ingredients
    • secret talks
  5. adjective satellite conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
    hugger-mugger; clandestine; hole-and-corner; surreptitious; underground; cloak-and-dagger; hush-hush; undercover.
    • 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
  6. adjective satellite not openly made known
    unavowed.
    • a secret marriage
    • a secret bride
  7. adjective satellite communicated covertly
    • their secret signal was a wink
    • secret messages
  8. adjective satellite not expressed
    private.
    • secret (or private) thoughts
  9. adjective satellite designed to elude detection
    hidden.
    • a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole
    • a secret passage
    • the secret compartment in the desk
  10. adjective satellite hidden from general view or use
    secluded; privy.
    • a privy place to rest and think
    • a secluded romantic spot
    • a secret garden
  11. adjective satellite (of information) given in confidence or in secret
    confidential.
    • this arrangement must be kept confidential
    • their secret communications
  12. adjective satellite indulging only covertly
    • a secret alcoholic
  13. adjective satellite having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding
    mystical; occult; mystic; orphic; mysterious.
    • mysterious symbols
    • the mystical style of Blake
    • occult lore
    • the secret learning of the ancients
  14. adjective satellite the next to highest level of official classification for documents

WordNet

Se"cret adjective
Etymology
F. secret (cf. Sp.& Pg. secreto, It. secreto, segreto), fr. L. secretus, p.p. of secrernere to put apart, to separate. See Certain, and cf. Secrete, Secern.
Definitions
  1. Hidden; concealed; as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret vow. Shak.
    The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us. Deut. xxix. 29.
  2. Withdraw from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.
    There, secret in her sapphire cell, He with the Naïs wont to dwell. Fenton.
  3. Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive. R.
    Secret Romans, that have spoke the word, And will not palter. Shak.
  4. Separate; distinct. Obs.
    They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which were perfectly secret from matter. Cudworth.
    Syn. -- Hidden; concealed; secluded; retired; unseen; unknown; private; obscure; recondite; latent; covert; clandestine; privy. See Hidden.
Se"cret noun
Etymology
F. secret (cf. Pr. secret, Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto, segreto), from L. secretum. See Secret, a.
Definitions
  1. Something studiously concealed; a thing kept from general knowledge; what is not revealed, or not to be revealed.
    To tell our secrets is often folly; to communicate those of others is treachery. Rambler.
  2. A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery.
    All secrets of the deep, all nature's works. Milton
  3. pl. The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed; the genital organs.
    Bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Prov. ix. 17.
Se"cret transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To keep secret. Obs. Bacon.

Webster 1913