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

The Queen Mother's private secretary contacted No 10 to complain, although the files do not explain what caused the offence.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Principal private secretary Nin Pandit runs the prime minister's team at No 10 and has only been in the role for ten months.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2025

Mr Williams, of Llanfair Caereinion in Welshpool, Powys, was also parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak during his time as prime minister.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

Mrs. Palmer was in Europe at the time, but her private secretary, Laura Hayes, a gossip of virtuosic scope, made sure her employer learned all the details.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson