secret

Meanings

• 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"
• information known only to a special group
  • "the secret of Cajun cooking"
• something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
  • "it remains one of nature's secrets"
• not open or public; kept private or not revealed
  • "a secret formula"
  • "secret ingredients"
  • "secret talks"
• conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
  • "secret missions"
  • "a secret agent"
  • "secret sales of arms"
• not openly made known
  • "a secret marriage"
  • "a secret bride"
• communicated covertly
  • "their secret signal was a wink"
  • "secret messages"
• not expressed
  • "secret (or private) thoughts"
• designed to elude detection
  • "a secret passage"
  • "the secret compartment in the desk"
• hidden from general view or use
  • "a secret garden"
• (of information) given in confidence or in secret
  • "their secret communications"
• indulging only covertly
  • "a secret alcoholic"
• having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding
  • "the secret learning of the ancients"
• the next to highest level of official classification for documents

Synonyms

arcanum, clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, closed book, confidential, enigma, hidden, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, mysterious, mystery, mystic, mystical, occult, orphic, private, privy, secluded, surreptitious, unavowed, undercover, underground