secret */*/*/

secret */*/*/
I UK [ˈsiːkrət] / US [ˈsɪkrət] noun [countable]
Word forms "secret":
singular secret plural secrets
1) a piece of information that is known by only a small number of people, and is deliberately not told to other people

He was accused of selling business secrets to competitors.

I can't tell you what she said – it's a secret.

Your secret is safe with me (= I will not tell anyone).

The secret is out (= everyone knows about it).

It cannot remain a secret much longer.

keep a secret (= not tell anyone):

Can you promise to keep a secret?

keep something a secret (from someone):

Mandela kept his work a secret from the prison authorities.

let someone in on a secret (= tell someone a secret):

Listen, I'll let you in on a little secret.

•

Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with secret
▪  big, closely-guarded, dark, guilty, innermost, well-kept Verbs frequently used with secret as the object ▪  betray, confide, disclose, divulge, reveal, share, tell
2) [usually plural] something that cannot be explained or that is difficult to understand

What secrets of the universe will the new telescope reveal?

3) a particular way of achieving something

She always looks so slim – I wish I knew her secret.

The secret is always to warm the pot before putting in the tea.

secret of:

The secret of our success is having highly skilled staff.

•

II UK [ˈsiːkrət] / US [ˈsɪkrət] adjective
Metaphor:
To keep something secret is like covering it, or putting it in a container, so that other people cannot see it. She accused him of covering up the truth. ♦ They hid/concealed the truth as best they could. ♦ He tried to mask/disguise/camouflage his true feelings. ♦ She wanted to bury the memory of that day. ♦ The operation was cloaked/shrouded/veiled in secrecy. ♦ We will draw a veil over what happened next. ♦ You're just trying to paper over the problem. ♦ The project is still under wraps. ♦ They kept it dark that they were planning to leave next day. ♦ There has been a complete news blackout. ♦ This report is nothing but a whitewash: what really went on? To tell a secret is like removing a cover from something, or like opening a container and letting something get out. He uncovered/revealed/exposed a terrible secret. ♦ After a few minutes, she began to open up and talk about her family. ♦ You have always been very open about your feelings. ♦ Someone leaked the information to the press. ♦ The news had already got out. ♦ My father let the cat out of the bag and spoiled the surprise. ♦ Do you know who spilled the beans? ♦ He spilled his guts to the police. ➡ discover, knowledge
deliberately not told to other people, or kept hidden from other people

The diary records her most secret thoughts and feelings.

Police discovered a secret bomb factory.

keep something secret:

The Minister denied that the report was being kept secret.

secret talks:

Secret talks were held in the hope of settling the dispute.

a secret location:

They are now at a secret location agreed with social services.

a) not known about by many people

We love coming here because it's like a secret garden.

b) used for describing someone who does something in secret

a secret lover

c) informal deliberately not telling people things

He can be the most secret man alive.


English dictionary. 2014.

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