Synonyms

secretly

American

[see-krit-lee] / ˈsi krɪt li /

adverb

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of secretly

secret ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She played Miley Stewart, a normal high-school student who secretly performed as Hannah Montana, and episodes focused on her navigating her daily life while keeping her secret from her classmates.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Black Cube first moved into the headlines in 2017 when an employee posed as a women’s-rights activist to secretly record an actress on behalf of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Quirin and Heinck had worked together at a Volkswagen factory where Kappe had held a meeting and secretly recruited them.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023