1
a
: kept from knowledge or view : hidden
b
: marked by the habit of discretion : closemouthed
c
: working with hidden aims or methods : undercover
a secret agent
d
: not acknowledged : unavowed
a secret bride
e
: conducted in secret
a secret trial
2
: remote from human frequentation or notice : secluded
3
: revealed only to the initiated : esoteric
4
: designed to elude observation or detection
a secret panel
5
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger national security compare confidential, top secret
secretly
adverb
1
a
: something kept hidden or unexplained : mystery
b
: something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially with a few
c
: a method, formula, or process used in an art or operation and divulged only to those of one's own company or craft : trade secret
d
secrets plural
: the practices or knowledge making up the shared discipline or culture of an esoteric society
2
: a prayer traditionally said inaudibly by the celebrant just before the preface of the mass
3
: something taken to be a specific or key to a desired end
the secret of longevity
Synonyms
Examples of secret in a Sentence
Adjective
Her secret wish is to become a senator.
The message was written in secret code.
I don't know the secret password.
He was sent on a secret mission.
They engaged in secret negotiations with the enemy.
She tried to keep her marriage secret.
They've been very secret about their plans.
Noun
Don't tell him about the party—it's a secret.
I'm going to tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else.
You always look great. What's your secret?
She shared her beauty secrets with the group.
The secret to a good sauce is the base.
the secrets of the universe
one of nature's greatest secrets
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Lu, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
Luckily, his secret plan has already been set in motion.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Related article Study seems to confirm secret ingredient for better coffee
Doa added that in addition to consumer exposure at low levels, workers exposed to methylene chloride in factories are subject to greater, unnecessary risks.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Based on the book by Damien Lewis, the story follows a covert organization formed in 1940 at the urging of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and aimed at secret missions to take down the Nazis.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
Rather, they are nominated and selected by secret juries.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Centuries later, secret passages in medieval European castles were designed to allow occupants to survive a siege.
—Jane Margolies, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2024
In the 20th century, the secret hemophilia of the heir to the Russian empire had a hand in driving the Romanov dynasty to oblivion.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Apple Chip Flaw Exposes Secret Encryption Keys Apple’s M-series of chips contain a flaw that could allow an attacker to trick the processor into revealing secret end-to-end encryption keys on Macs, according to new research.
—Andrew Couts, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2024
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
In Vogue’s latest episode of Off the Cuff, the two co-stars giggle over secrets, spoilers, dream roles, and items stolen from set.
—Lea Donenberg, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Characters and storylines lampoon big-money prime-time soap operas from an earlier era with dramatic developments involving affairs, double-crossing characters and big secrets.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Of course, a secret like that didn’t stay secret for long.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
The final book will follow protagonist Keera, who is finding her footing after learning a secret about an ally.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Bernhard reveals the surprising genesis of the project—one which has attracted over 1 million secrets since its inception 20 years ago.
—Krista Stevens, Longreads, 3 Apr. 2024
But the location of her favorite paw paw patch is a secret.
—Scott Enman, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024
And a terrifying secret that’s been spanning time and space for decades.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
Adjective
This best-selling car vacuum has over 14,500 five-star ratings on Amazon and is my secret weapon for sucking up all the sand, grass, and snack wrappers my kids sprinkle throughout the back seat.
—Laura Lu, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
Luckily, his secret plan has already been set in motion.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Related article Study seems to confirm secret ingredient for better coffee
Doa added that in addition to consumer exposure at low levels, workers exposed to methylene chloride in factories are subject to greater, unnecessary risks.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Based on the book by Damien Lewis, the story follows a covert organization formed in 1940 at the urging of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and aimed at secret missions to take down the Nazis.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
Rather, they are nominated and selected by secret juries.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Centuries later, secret passages in medieval European castles were designed to allow occupants to survive a siege.
—Jane Margolies, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2024
In the 20th century, the secret hemophilia of the heir to the Russian empire had a hand in driving the Romanov dynasty to oblivion.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Apple Chip Flaw Exposes Secret Encryption Keys Apple’s M-series of chips contain a flaw that could allow an attacker to trick the processor into revealing secret end-to-end encryption keys on Macs, according to new research.
—Andrew Couts, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2024
Noun
Defying gravity High-altitude aircraft will fly within the path of Monday’s eclipse to unravel some of the greatest unresolved secrets about the sun.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
In Vogue’s latest episode of Off the Cuff, the two co-stars giggle over secrets, spoilers, dream roles, and items stolen from set.
—Lea Donenberg, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Characters and storylines lampoon big-money prime-time soap operas from an earlier era with dramatic developments involving affairs, double-crossing characters and big secrets.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Of course, a secret like that didn’t stay secret for long.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
The final book will follow protagonist Keera, who is finding her footing after learning a secret about an ally.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Bernhard reveals the surprising genesis of the project—one which has attracted over 1 million secrets since its inception 20 years ago.
—Krista Stevens, Longreads, 3 Apr. 2024
But the location of her favorite paw paw patch is a secret.
—Scott Enman, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024
And a terrifying secret that’s been spanning time and space for decades.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'secret.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near secret
Cite this Entry
“Secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secret. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
secret
1 of 2 adjective
se·cret
ˈsē-krət 
1
a
: hidden or kept from knowledge or view
b
: working in secret as a spy or detective : undercover
a secret agent
2
: secluded sense 1
a secret valley
secretly
adverb
secret
2 of 2 noun1
a
: something that cannot be explained : mystery
b
: something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only privately with a few
2
: something taken to be necessary to gain a desired end
the secret of a long life
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