private secretary

American  

noun

1. a person who attends to the individual or confidential correspondence, files, etc., of a business executive, official, or the like.

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private secretary British  

noun

1. a secretary entrusted with the personal and confidential matters of a business executive

2. a civil servant who acts as aide to a minister or senior government official Compare parliamentary private secretary

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Etymology

Origin of private secretary

First recorded in 1765–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

private secretary

The change of heart follows a phone call with the King's principal private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, who told them the King had "no problem" with Uganda's participation in the games.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

The search will soon begin for a new right-hand man or woman for King Charles, with the current principal private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, set to step down next year.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

The outgoing principal private secretary had an annual pay package of £300,000 to £305,000.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

“He was friendly,” Churchill’s private secretary wrote, “but he never smiled: a change from the Ike of war days.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Arthur Lee became suspicious, but while he was pointing a finger at Bancroft, Franklin learned from his agents in London that Lee’s own private secretary was a British spy!

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

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