secretly

American  

[see-krit-lee] / ˈsi krɪt li /

adverb

1. in a way that is kept from the knowledge of others or is designed to escape their notice.

   He later discovered that the couple had secretly married in a discreet ceremony six months ago.

   Many of the wood and stone looks you see in homes every day are secretly vinyl flooring.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsecretly adverb
• quasi-secretly adverb
• semisecretly adverb
• ultrasecretly adverb
• unsecretly adverb

Etymology

Origin of secretly

secret ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

She added: "I'll even miss standing front of the judges, can you believe that? Smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing - it's been an honour to share the ballroom with them."

From BBC

His neighbor is secretly caring for three Jewish children.

From The Wall Street Journal

Defoe could shape opinion within it, publishing essays and pamphlets as well as reporting secretly to London.

From The Wall Street Journal

Critics say investors can secretly sway case strategy, putting their profit before the best interests of a client.

From Los Angeles Times

And the U.S. military has other options for clearing the strait—though they aren’t great, especially given that Iran may secretly possess sophisticated Russian or Chinese antiship missiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• clandestinely
• covertly
• furtively
• personally
• privately
• quietly
• stealthily
• surreptitiously