secretive

adjective

se·​cre·​tive ˈsē-krə-tiv 

si-ˈkrē-

: disposed to secrecy : not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun

Synonyms

• close
• closemouthed
• dark
• reticent
• tight-mouthed
• uncommunicative

Choose the Right Synonym for secretive

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking.

silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

Examples of secretive in a Sentence

He's very secretive about his work.

the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government

Recent Examples on the Web

That means the cameras go to their bedrooms and parties, but also to their For You pages on TikTok and their Snapchat DMs, much more secretive and dangerous places. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

The Emory—the latest hotel from the hospitality group that also owns and operates famed London hotels Claridge’s and The Connaught—aims to be stylishly secretive. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024

Surveys of the riparian areas of the park will continue in future years and restoration efforts along the Puerco River will include improving habitat for this secretive bird. —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 14 Oct. 2024

But working in the secretive organization of Night Action will propel Peter into a world where danger is everywhere and trust is in short supply. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from secretiveness, partial translation of French secrétivité

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

secretive

adjective

se·​cre·​tive ˈsē-krət-iv 

si-ˈkrēt-

: having a tendency toward secrecy and concealment : not frank or open

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun