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

Example Sentences

Lewis, Jefferson’s private secretary, had grown up a rambler and a keen observer of the natural world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Lord Janvrin was the private secretary to the late queen until 2007.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025

However, Andrew’s private secretary told the broadcaster that they met in the early 1990s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

She was seated next to someone with another important but behind-the-scenes role - private secretary to the King, Sir Clive Alderton.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

"I was private secretary to the president of Schultz Sausages. Poor Mr. Schultz, I don't know how he'll manage without me."

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin