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

“That’s a relief. For a minute there I really thought I was seeing things! But why the secrecy?”

Read more on Literature

“He said he’s sworn to secrecy. The only person he’ll talk to about it is Admiral Ashton himself. That’s who made him swear.”

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Penelope wondered if it was a desire for secrecy that had prompted Miss Mortimer’s choice of restaurant, and not just an appreciation for ferns—but she did not have to wonder for long.

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Of course, all that sauce secrecy is also good marketing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some describe a pattern of power being concentrated at the top, with secrecy becoming routine and transparency rare.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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