SECRET Meaning and
Definition
-
Secret is an adjective that describes something that is hidden, concealed or known only to a limited number of individuals or kept confidential by a group or individual. It refers to information, knowledge, actions, or intentions that are purposely kept secluded or undisclosed from others. It implies that the matter at hand is not publicly known and is intended to remain hidden from the general public or a specific group of people.
Furthermore, a secret can also refer to an individual or a group of individuals who are entrusted with classified or confidential information. This person or group is responsible for safeguarding and not revealing the confidential details to others.
Secrets often pertain to sensitive or private matters that should not be shared without proper authorization or consent. They can be personal in nature, such as a hidden feeling, a hidden talent, or one's privacy. Alternatively, secrets can have a profound impact on wider society, such as trade secrets, political secrets, or military secrets.
The concept of secrecy plays a significant role in various areas of human life, including relationships, politics, espionage, business, and technology. Maintaining a secret requires trust, discretion, and the ability to keep information hidden from others. However, secrets can sometimes lead to a sense of guilt, anxiety, or mistrust if leaked or exploited.
-
• Concealed; hidden; kept from the view or knowledge of all except those concerned; not revealed; secluded; private; not apparent; occult; obscure; known to God alone.
• Something studiously concealed; something undiscovered or unknown.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SECRET *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SECRET
Etymology of SECRET
The word secret originated from the Latin word secretus, which means separated or hidden. It was formed by combining the prefix se- (meaning apart or away) with the verb cerno (meaning to separate or to sift). In Latin, secretus primarily referred to something withdrawn from public view or knowledge. The word then evolved through Old French and Middle English before becoming the modern English term secret.
Idioms with the word SECRET
-
trade secret
A trade secret refers to valuable and confidential information, such as a formula, process, device, technique, or method, that is used in business operations and gives a competitive advantage to a company or individual. It is kept secret and not disclosed to the public or competitors, as it provides economic benefits and is instrumental in protecting intellectual property rights.
-
carry a secret to (one's)/the grave
The idiom "carry a secret to (one's)/the grave" means to keep a secret confidential and never reveal it to anyone, even after death. It implies that the secret will be taken to the grave, indicating the commitment to never disclose the information.
-
deep, dark secret
The idiom "deep, dark secret" refers to a highly confidential or sensitive piece of information that someone holds and keeps hidden from others, often due to feelings of shame, guilt, or fear of consequences. It implies that the secret is significant and has significant emotional or personal weight, as if it were buried in the depths of one's consciousness or hidden away from others' knowledge.
-
in secret
The idiom "in secret" means to do something or keep something hidden or confidential, away from public knowledge or without the knowledge of others.
-
Your secret is safe with me.
The idiom "Your secret is safe with me" means that a person can be trusted to keep confidential information or a secret. It assures the person sharing the secret that they can confide in the other person without fear of the secret being revealed to others.
-
carry a secret to the grave
The idiom "carry a secret to the grave" means to keep a secret confidential for one's entire life, never revealing it to anyone. It implies that the secret will never be disclosed, even after the person's death.
-
best-kept secret
The idiom "best-kept secret" refers to something that is widely known or recognized by a select few individuals or within a particular circle, while being largely unknown or unnoticed by the general public or a larger audience. It implies that the information or fact is intentionally kept hidden or undisclosed from most people, often due to its value or exclusivity.
-
let sb in on a secret
The idiom "let someone in on a secret" means to share or reveal a secret with someone who was previously unaware of it. It implies entrusting someone with information that has been kept hidden or confidential.
-
take the secret to the grave
The idiom "take the secret to the grave" means to keep a secret confidential and never reveal it, even after one's death. It implies that the secret will never be shared or exposed.
-
a guilty secret
The idiom "a guilty secret" refers to a hidden or confidential piece of information or wrongdoing that induces feelings of guilt or shame in the person keeping it. It typically implies that the information should not be revealed or discussed openly due to the negative consequences it may entail.
-
keep a secret
"Keep a secret" means to refrain from revealing or sharing confidential or private information with others. It involves maintaining secrecy or confidentiality, not disclosing sensitive information to anyone else.
-
make a secret of sth
To make a secret of something means to keep it hidden or concealed from others, usually out of a desire for privacy or confidentiality. It implies deliberately not sharing or revealing certain information or details.
-
open secret
An "open secret" is an expression used to describe something that is commonly known or understood by many people, even though it is not officially acknowledged or publicly discussed. It refers to information or knowledge that is widely circulated or shared among a group of people, even though it is not openly acknowledged or confirmed. It implies that despite the lack of official recognition or discussion, the information is widely known and accepted as true.
-
take a/the secret to (one's)/the grave
The idiom "take a/the secret to (one's)/the grave" means to keep a secret hidden or undisclosed until one's death, refusing to reveal it to anyone. It implies that the secret is so private or sensitive that the person would rather keep it concealed forever, even after their death.
-
Could you keep a secret?
The idiom "Could you keep a secret?" is a rhetorical question used to ascertain someone's trustworthiness or ability to keep information confidential. It implies that the speaker has sensitive or confidential information to share and wants assurance that the listener will not disclose it to others.
-
an open secret
The idiom "an open secret" refers to a piece of knowledge or information that is widely understood or known by many people, despite not being officially acknowledged or publicly discussed. It implies that the information is widely known among a certain group of people, but is not openly acknowledged or recognized by those in authority or publicly.
-
be an open secret
The idiom "be an open secret" means that something is widely known or understood by many people, despite not being officially acknowledged or publicly discussed. It refers to a situation or information that is supposedly a secret, but is common knowledge or widely accepted among a particular group or community. In other words, it is something that everyone knows, yet it is not openly acknowledged or admitted.
-
Can you keep a secret?
The idiom "Can you keep a secret?" is used to ask someone if they are able to keep information confidential and not share it with others.
-
your secret's safe with me
This idiom means that the person promising to keep a secret will not reveal the information to anyone else.
Similar spelling words for SECRET
- secreter,
- secretor,
- secretion,
- Secreting,
- secretin,
- secretase,
- secured,
- secretary,
- secrete,
- Secretory,
- secretive,
- secretly.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
