secret secret /ˈsiːkrɪt/

adjective

1. () Not open or public; kept private or not revealed  ( secret )
   not open or public; kept private or not revealed
    A secret formula
   a secret formula
    Secret ingredients
   secret ingredients
    Secret talks
   secret talks
   
2. () Not openly made known  ( unavowed , secret )
   not openly made known
    A secret marriage
   a secret marriage
    A secret bride
   a secret bride
   
3. () Conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods  ( cloak-and-dagger , hole-and-corner , hugger-mugger , clandestine , hush-hush , secret , surreptitious , undercover , underground )
   conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
    Clandestine intelligence operations
   clandestine intelligence operations
    Cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines
   cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines
    Hole-and-corner intrigue
   hole-and-corner intrigue
    Secret missions
   secret missions
    A secret agent
   a secret agent
    Secret sales of arms
   secret sales of arms
    Surreptitious mobilization of troops
   surreptitious mobilization of troops
    An undercover investigation
   an undercover investigation
    Underground resistance
   underground resistance
   
4. () Not expressed  ( private , secret )
   not expressed
    Secret (or private) thoughts
   secret (or private) thoughts
   
5. () Communicated covertly  ( secret )
   communicated covertly
    Their secret signal was a wink
   their secret signal was a wink
    Secret messages
   secret messages
   
6. The next to highest level of official classification for documents  ( secret )
   the next to highest level of official classification for documents
   
7. Having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding  ( mystical , occult , orphic , mysterious , mystic , secret )
   having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding
    Mysterious symbols
   mysterious symbols
    The mystical style of Blake
   the mystical style of Blake
    Occult lore
   occult lore
    The secret learning of the ancients
   the secret learning of the ancients
   
8. Indulging only covertly  ( secret )
   indulging only covertly
    A secret alcoholic
   a secret alcoholic
   
9. (of information) given in confidence or in secret  ( confidential , secret )
   (of information) given in confidence or in secret
    This arrangement must be kept confidential
   this arrangement must be kept confidential
    Their secret communications
   their secret communications
   
10. Hidden from general view or use  ( privy , secret , secluded )
    hidden from general view or use
     A privy place to rest and think
    a privy place to rest and think
     A secluded romantic spot
    a secluded romantic spot
     A secret garden
    a secret garden
    
11. Designed to elude detection  ( hidden , secret )
    designed to elude detection
     A hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole
    a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole
     A secret passage
    a secret passage
     The secret compartment in the desk
    the secret compartment in the desk
    

noun

1. () Something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)  ( secret )
   something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
    The combination to the safe was a secret
   the combination to the safe was a secret
    He tried to keep his drinking a secret
   he tried to keep his drinking a secret
   
2. Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained  ( closed book , secret , enigma , mystery )
   something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
    How it got out is a mystery
   how it got out is a mystery
    It remains one of nature's secrets
   it remains one of nature's secrets
   
3. Information known only to a special group  ( arcanum , secret )
   information known only to a special group
    The secret of Cajun cooking
   the secret of Cajun cooking