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, confidential, confidential communication, confidentiality, confiding, configurate, configuration

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 confidentially

“Bruce – Spoke to someone very senior in State (confidentially),” wrote Lynton.
Exclusive: Sony Emails Say State Department Blessed Kim Jong-Un Assassination in ‘The Interview’|William Boot|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, more than a few have confidentially expressed their jealousy.
Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories|Harry Siegel|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Here, a team of 60 is hard at work modernizing the way American diplomats talk to each other confidentially.
Guarding the State Department's Secrets|Dayo Olopade|December 3, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Their job is to communicate directly, and confidentially, with governments, including the CIA, to whom this report was directed.
The Report Sending Shockwaves Through Washington|Scott Horton|March 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST

"I'm going to marry that woman out there," he said, low and confidentially.
The Forged Note|Oscar Micheaux
He approached, on his side, confidentially, but not too markedly so.
The Secret Agent|Joseph Conrad
He seated himself in a chair at his son's side and, leaning over, tapped Bibbs confidentially on the knee.
The Turmoil|Booth Tarkington
Let the thing be worked up secretly and confidentially by a small number of men who know their business.
A Mind That Found Itself|Clifford Whittingham Beers
"We couldn't send him away just now even if he were fit to ride," said Wickham confidentially to his brother aide-de-camp.
Tonio, Son of the Sierras|Charles King

British Dictionary definitions for confidentially

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 Forms

confidentiality 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

confidential

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of confidential

SYNONYMS FOR confidential

Related forms

Examples from the Web for confidentially

British Dictionary definitions for confidentially

confidential

adjective

Derived Forms