secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the condition of being hidden or concealed

2

: the habit or practice of keeping secrets or maintaining privacy or concealment

Synonyms

• closeness
• secretiveness

Examples of secrecy in a Sentence

this administration's steadfast adherence to secrecy is beginning to cost it the trust of the voters

Recent Examples on the Web

Little is known about the gray industrial design, which has been shrouded in secrecy. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024

Team selection processes have been shrouded in secrecy by national team management, but Team USA aims to build momentum for the 2026 Winter Olympics. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Like most Nolan efforts, the project was shrouded in national-security-level secrecy. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

Thursday’s Ethics Committee meeting was the second in the past month where the panel — which typically conducts its business in secrecy — gathered to discuss the Gaetz report. —Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier secretie, from Middle English secretee, from secret secret

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing secrecy

• anti-secrecy
• swear (someone) to secrecy
• swear to secrecy

Kids Definition

secrecy

noun

se·​cre·​cy ˈsē-krə-sē 

plural secrecies

1

: the habit of keeping secrets : secretiveness

2

: the quality or state of being hidden or concealed