secrecy
Americannoun
plural
secrecies-
the state or condition of being secret, hidden, or concealed.
a meeting held in secrecy.
- Synonyms:
- covertness, stealth, privacy, confidentiality
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the state of being apart from other people; privacy; seclusion.
-
ability to keep a secret.
-
the habit or characteristic of being secretive; reticence.
-
Archaic. something that is secret or mysterious.
the secrecies of nature.
noun
-
the state or quality of being secret
-
the state of keeping something secret
-
the ability or tendency to keep things secret
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of secrecy
1375–1425; obsolete secre (< Middle French secré secret ) + -cy; replacing late Middle English secretee, equivalent to secre + -tee -ty 2
Explanation
Secrecy is a word for a state or condition where things are concealed or hidden. CIA agents and conspirators know a lot about secrecy. Since a secret is something some people don't know, secrecy is all about keeping things private or concealed. Being a spy involves a lot of secrecy. When information is important or sensitive, people try to create secrecy. Also, you can say secrecy is a quality people have, like courage. Someone who doesn't gossip has a good sense of secrecy. When all lips are sealed, there's secrecy.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Authorities can spot structured transactions during a Bank Secrecy Act audit, a Form 8300 review or an income-tax audit.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026
Secrecy, he said, “is completely contrary to how we are approaching this research.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025
Secrecy clouds the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2024
"Secrecy, fear and the cloak of anonymity have protected those who wield power in the shadows, until now."
From BBC • Aug. 31, 2023
“No, no, Filch, they’re with me!” she added hastily, as Filch came shuffling eagerly across the entrance hall holding his Secrecy Sensor aloft.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
