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 county also characterized the report as both a confidential “attorney work product,” and a “preliminary draft” that is “being updated with new findings.”

From Los Angeles Times

However, he reiterated that details of any athletes who may have been prevented from competing as a result of the test, carried out via cheek swab, will remain confidential.

From BBC

If an employee receives a warning letter, for example, that level of discipline would remain confidential.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are determined that any consultation with staff members will be fair, dignified, confidential and in accordance with the best practices within human resources."

From BBC

Mr Bain said the report is "confidential" until it is published by the standards committee, "and it would therefore be inappropriate for the commissioner to comment".

From BBC

Related Words

• classified 
• hush-hush 
• intimate 
• private