confidential

[ kon-fi-den-shuhl ]

/ ˌkɒn fɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR confidential ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

spoken, written, acted on, etc., in strict privacy or secrecy; secret: a confidential remark.

indicating confidence or intimacy; imparting private matters: a confidential tone of voice.

having another's trust or confidence; entrusted with secrets or private affairs: a confidential secretary.

(of information, a document, etc.)

bearing the classification confidential, usually being above restricted and below secret.
limited to persons authorized to use information, documents, etc., so classified.Compare classification(def 5).

Nearby words

confidence limits, confidence man, confidence trick, confident, confidente, confidentiality, confidential communication, confidentiality, confidentially, confidently, confiding

Origin of confidential

1645–55; < Latin confīdenti(a) confidence + -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR confidential

1 restricted, private.

2 intimate, familiar.

3 trusted, trustworthy, private. See familiar.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR confidential ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

con·fi·den·ti·al·i·ty, con·fi·den·tial·ness, nouncon·fi·den·tial·ly, adverbnon·con·fi·den·tial, adjectivenon·con·fi·den·tial·ly, adverb

non·con·fi·den·tial·ness, nounnon·con·fi·den·ti·al·i·ty, nounqua·si-con·fi·den·tial, adjectivequa·si-con·fi·den·tial·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for confidentiality

Kids approaching adolescence get a brief discussion about confidentiality.
Kids Eat the Darndest Things: Laundry Pods, Teething Necklaces, and More Of The Weirdest Stuff Sending Kids to the E.R.|Russell Saunders|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The reason we have confidentiality is so that people are not forced to go home.
How the U.S. Sold Out Indian Asylum Seekers on the Border|Caitlin Dickson|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Donald Sterling apparently sought to ensure it stayed that way by including a confidentiality clause when he settled the suit.
Killed by Donald Sterling’s Racism|Michael Daly|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Promised (and delivered) confidentiality and anonymity, arrestees had nothing to lose—and, therefore, tons to offer.
Gov't Abandons Best Survey for Counting U.S. Drug Users|Abby Haglage|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She also signed a confidentiality agreement, according to the Sun-Times.
Why Has the Public Forgiven R. Kelly for His Sordid, Predatory Past?|Marlow Stern|December 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There is a second insurance-related issue that has to do with confidentiality.
When You Don't Know Where to Turn|Steven J. Bartlett
I have tried to give a realistic picture of confidentiality in therapy.
When You Don't Know Where to Turn|Steven J. Bartlett
There are two central questions relating to confidentiality that I want to raise here.
When You Don't Know Where to Turn|Steven J. Bartlett
There may or may not be special laws in your state to protect the confidentiality of psychotherapy.
When You Don't Know Where to Turn|Steven J. Bartlett
Accidental or inadvertent breaks of confidentiality sometimes can also occur.
When You Don't Know Where to Turn|Steven J. Bartlett

British Dictionary definitions for confidentiality

confidential

/ (ˌkɒnfɪˈdɛnʃəl) /

adjective

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

entrusted with another's confidence or secret affairsa confidential secretary

suggestive of or denoting intimacya confidential approach

Derived Formsconfidentiality or confidentialness, nounconfidentially, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for confidentiality

confidential

adj.

1759, from Latin confidentia (see confidence) + -al (1). Related: Confidentiality; confidentially.

Medicine definitions for confidentiality

confidentiality

[ kŏn′fĭ-dĕn′shē-ăl′ĭ-tē ]

n.

The ethical principle or legal right that a physician or other health professional will hold secret all information relating to a patient, unless the patient gives consent permitting disclosure.

confidential

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of confidential

Examples from the Web for confidentiality

British Dictionary definitions for confidentiality

confidential

adjective

Word Origin and History for confidentiality

confidential

Medicine definitions for confidentiality

confidentiality

n.