# secret

/ˈsikɹət/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/secret
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. hidden information

noun · CEFR A2

something that is kept hidden from other people.

For teachers: a piece of information or knowledge intended to be kept hidden or known only by a few.

- I have a secret to tell you, but you must promise not to tell anyone else.
- The government struggled to keep the details of the trade agreement a secret from the investigative journalists.

### 2. the key to success

noun · CEFR B1

the best or only way to achieve something.

For teachers: the underlying principle, method, or 'knack' that explains how something is achieved or made clear.

- The secret to her delicious soup is adding a little bit of fresh ginger.
- Many entrepreneurs believe that the secret to a successful startup lies in timing rather than just the original idea.

### 3. hidden or private

adjective · CEFR A2

kept hidden from others or known by only a few people.

For teachers: kept from knowledge or view; concealed from general notice.

- They held a secret meeting in the basement to plan the surprise party.
- The intelligence agency operated from a secret location that did not appear on any official maps.

## Examples

- I have a secret that I cannot tell you.
- The two friends shared a secret that they promised never to tell their parents.
- The chef refused to reveal the secret of his signature sauce, claiming that the specific blend of spices was a family inheritance passed down through generations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.