confidential
[kon-fi-den-shuh l]
- 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).
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Origin of confidential
Synonyms
See more synonyms for confidential on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for confidentially
Contemporary Examples
“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
In fact, more than a few have confidentially expressed their jealousy.
Here, a team of 60 is hard at work modernizing the way American diplomats talk to each other confidentially.
Their job is to communicate directly, and confidentially, with governments, including the CIA, to whom this report was directed.
Historical Examples
The girls can talk quietly and confidentially, if they choose.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton CampusJessie Graham Flower
He approached, on his side, confidentially, but not too markedly so.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
Confidentially, 'Father, I sometimes thought of it, but it rather scared me!
Echoes of the WarJ. M. Barrie
He confessed to them confidentially that he was the real boss of the building.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
"I don't think she was intendin' to," remarked the latter, confidentially.
Cap'n Dan's DaughterJoseph C. Lincoln
confidential
- 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
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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 confidentially
confidential
adj.
1759, from Latin confidentia (see confidence) + -al (1). Related: Confidentiality; confidentially.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper