confidential

[kon-fi-den-shuhl]

adjective

1. spoken, written, acted on, etc., in strict privacy or secrecy; secret.

   a confidential remark.

   Synonyms: private, restricted

2. indicating confidence or intimacy; imparting private matters.

   a confidential tone of voice.

   Synonyms: familiar, intimate

3. having another's trust or confidence; entrusted with secrets or private affairs.

   a confidential secretary.

   Synonyms: private, trustworthy

4. (of information, a document, etc.)

   1. bearing the classification confidential, usually being above restricted and below secret.

   2. limited to persons authorized to use information, documents, etc., so classified.

confidential

/ ˌkɒnfɪˈdɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. spoken, written, or given in confidence; secret; private

2. entrusted with another's confidence or secret affairs

   a confidential secretary

3. suggestive of or denoting intimacy

   a confidential approach

Other Word Forms

• confidentiality noun
• confidentialness noun
• confidentially adverb
• nonconfidential adjective
• nonconfidentially adverb
• nonconfidentialness noun
• nonconfidentiality noun
• quasi-confidential adjective
• quasi-confidentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of confidential¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin confīdenti(a) confidence + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See familiar.

Example Sentences

The usual objections to this sort of reform, that full disclosure from these agencies is too costly or risks exposing confidential taxpayer information, already have solutions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The company said it had strict controls over the transfer of confidential information.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It was likely meant to be confidential, but anyone within a mile’s radius could hear them.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Researchers at the forum held confidential one-on-one calls with reserve managers from the central banks of Germany, Poland, Spain, and Italy.

Read more on Barron's

He said the Journal’s description of the incident, based on a different, internal complaint reviewed by the Journal, mischaracterized a confidential personnel matter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• classified 
• hush-hush 
• intimate 
• private