Word
confidential
Phoneticscon·fi·den·tial, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəɫ/
UK/kˌɒnfɪdˈɛnʃəl/
Definitions
01secret
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. meant to be kept secret and not told to other people.
adj. intended to be kept secret or private; restricted to a specific circle of individuals.
Español:confidencial
“The doctor kept all of his patient's medical records in a confidential file.”
“The legal team reminded all staff that the details of the settlement were strictly confidential and could not be discussed with the press.”
Usage
Often used in professional contexts like law, medicine, and business.
Synonyms
02trustworthy
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
adj. someone who is trusted with secrets or a job that requires great trust.
adj. occupying a position of trust or being worthy of being trusted with private information.
“He served as a confidential clerk to the governor for many years.”
“In the nineteenth-century novel, the protagonist relies heavily on his confidential servant to manage his private affairs and delicate correspondence.”
Antonyms
03intimate tone
C2 · Proficiency Literary
adj. speaking in a quiet, private way as if sharing a secret.
adj. characterised by the sharing of confidences or an intimate, private manner of communication.
“She leaned in and spoke in a low, confidential whisper.”
“The two friends retreated to the corner of the library, their voices dropping into the confidential tone of those sharing long-held secrets.”
Confusables
Confident describes a person's self-assurance, while confidential describes information that must be kept secret.
RememberConfident is a feeling; confidential is a secret.
Real-World Examples
“It says its free and confidential telephone helpline, email and web chat service helped more than 30,000 people last year.” “People can order a free, confidential NHS home self-testing kit , external without needing to speak to a GP.” “Anyone with information is asked to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on (01) 801 0600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.” Etymology
From Latin confidentia + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/confidential
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0