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Definition secret in British English

secret noun

[countable] noun
/ˈsiːkrət/

▪ big, closely-guarded, dark, guilty, innermost, well-kept

▪ betray, confide, disclose, divulge, reveal, share, tell

1

a piece of information that is known by only a small number of people, and is deliberately not told to other people

Example

He was accused of selling business secrets to competitors.

Example

I can't tell you what she said - it's a secret.

Example

Your secret is safe with me (=I will not tell anyone).

Example

The secret is out (=everyone knows about it).

Example

It cannot remain a secret much longer.

Example

Can you promise to keep a secret?

Example

Mandela kept his work a secret from the prison authorities.

Example

Listen, I'll let you in on a little secret.

Synonyms and related words
2

something that cannot be explained or that is difficult to understand

Example

What secrets of the universe will the new telescope reveal?

Synonyms and related words
3

a particular way of achieving something

Example

She always looks so slim - I wish I knew her secret.

Example

The secret is always to warm the pot before putting in the tea.

Example

The secret of our success is having highly skilled staff.

Synonyms and related words
Definition secret in British English