1
secret
/ˈsiːkrət/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of SECRET
1
:
kept hidden from others
:
known to only a few people
-
the robbers' secret hideout
-
a secret compartment/passage/cave
-
a secret formula/ingredient
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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.
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She tried to keep her marriage secret.
-
She has a secret admirer. [=someone admires her but she does not know who it is]
-
She has a secret lover. [=a lover that no one else knows about]
—
see also secret agent, secret police, secret service, top secret
2
[more secret; most secret]
:
keeping information hidden from others
:
secretive
— secretly
adverb
-
She wrote to him secretly.
-
He was secretly delighted by their decision.
-
They got married secretly.
2
secret
/ˈsiːkrət/
noun
plural
secrets
plural
secrets
Britannica Dictionary definition of SECRET
[count]
1
:
a fact or piece of information that is kept hidden from other people
-
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.
-
They're getting married. The secret is out. [=everyone now knows that they're getting married]
-
He knows how to keep a secret. [=if you tell him a secret he won't tell it to anyone else]
-
This wine may be Italy's best-kept secret. [=something very good that not many people know about]
-
It's no secret [=many people know] that he has connections to the Mafia.
-
I'll let you in on a (little) secret. [=I'll tell you a secret]
-
The report disclosed the company's dirty little secret. [=something bad that the company does not want people to know]
-
Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. [=I won't tell anyone your secret]
—
see also trade secret
2
:
a special or unusual way of doing something to achieve a good result
-
You always look great. What's your secret?
-
She shared her beauty secrets with the group.
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The secret to/of a good sauce is the base.
-
What is the secret to your success? [=why are you so successful?]
3
:
something that cannot be explained
in secret
:
in a private place or manner
make no secret of
:
to show or express (something) openly
:
to not try to hide (something)