secret

/ˈsikrɪt/
noun
  1. Something that is kept hidden or known only to a few people.
    • The recipe for this sauce is a family secret passed down for generations.
    • He whispered the secret into her ear so no one else could hear.
    • Can you keep a secret? I'm planning a trip for my parents' anniversary.
  2. A hidden or unknown factor that explains something; a key to success or understanding.
    • What's the secret behind their long and happy marriage?
    • Patience is the secret of mastering any new skill.
    • The secret to good bread is using fresh yeast and letting it rise slowly.
adjective
  1. Kept hidden from knowledge or view; not known or seen by others.
    • The spy carried secret documents in a hidden pocket.
    • They had a secret meeting in the basement to plan the surprise.
    • She kept her secret identity as a superhero from her family.
  2. Operating or existing in a way that is not known or seen by others; clandestine.
    • He was a secret agent working undercover for years.
    • They built a secret passage behind the bookshelf.
    • The organization runs a secret network of informants.
Antonyms