open secret

noun

: a supposedly secret but generally known matter

Examples of open secret in a Sentence

It's an open secret that he's been cheating on his wife.
Recent Examples on the Web Cohn’s sexuality was an open secret, despite playing a crucial role in the Lavender Scare of the 1950s McCarthy era. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2024 My musical dreams were just that, something like an open secret. Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2024 The relationship between Nuzzi and Kennedy was an open secret in certain media spheres, according to Business Insider. Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024 Use of the test platform keys compromises the entire security chain established by Secure Boot because the private portion underpinning their security is an open secret that's known to hundreds or possibly thousands of different people. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for open secret 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open secret.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open secret was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near open secret

Cite this Entry

“Open secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20secret. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

open secret

noun
: something supposed to be a secret but in fact generally known

More from Merriam-Webster on open secret

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