secrecy

[see-kruh-see]

noun

plural

secrecies 

1. the state or condition of being secret, hidden, or concealed.

   a meeting held in secrecy.

   Synonyms: covertness, stealth, privacy, confidentiality

2. the state of being apart from other people; privacy; seclusion.

3. ability to keep a secret.

4. the habit or characteristic of being secretive; reticence.

5. Archaic.,  something that is secret or mysterious.

   the secrecies of nature.

secrecy

/ ˈsiːkrɪsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being secret

2. the state of keeping something secret

3. the ability or tendency to keep things secret

Other Word Forms

• antisecrecy adjective
• nonsecrecy noun
• prosecrecy adjective
• semisecrecy noun
• supersecrecy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of secrecy¹

1375–1425; obsolete secre (< Middle French secré secret ) + -cy; replacing late Middle English secretee, equivalent to secre + -tee -ty ²

Example Sentences

The secluded hangars and runways add a degree of secrecy for the sensitive development work there.

Read more on Barron's

For years, the infamous fishing trip involving Bryn and his nephew Jason has been wrapped in secrecy and speculation.

Read more on BBC

Critics say banks use the regulations—and the enforced secrecy—to hide politically motivated closures.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In some cases, this secrecy appears to have been compromised, the people said, with some stocks rocketing higher in the days leading up to the announcement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But negotiations aimed at addressing the water shortage are at an impasse, and leaders of environmental groups say the secrecy surrounding the talks is depriving the public of an opportunity to weigh in.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confidence 
• confidentiality www.thesaurus.com
• isolation 
• mystery 
• reticence 
• silence 
• solitude