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in secret
/ɪn ˈsiːkrɪt/
without others knowing
They planned the surprise party in secret.
They arranged the party without telling anyone.
general
done or kept without others' knowledge
The couple eloped in secret to avoid family drama.
They got married quietly to prevent family conflicts.
The government conducted the operation in secret.
The government carried out the mission without public knowledge.
Often used to describe actions taken discreetly or confidentially.
Collocations
keep in secretto maintain confidentialityin secret agreementconfidential arrangement
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'in secret' for actions or plans, not for objects or states.
Gold Rule
Avoid Redundancy
Do not use 'in secret' with words like 'secretly' in the same sentence.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'in secrete', combining 'in' (preposition) and 'secret' (adjective).
Usage Notes
Commonly used in contexts involving confidentiality, espionage, or personal privacy.
Word Breakdown
in
within or during
prepositionsecret
hidden or not disclosed
adjectiveEnglish Dictionary