# secrete

/sɪˈkɹit/ (US) · /sɪkɹˈiːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/secrete
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. biological production

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to produce and release a liquid substance from a cell, gland, or organ.

For teachers: to generate and release a substance from a cell or gland for a specific physiological function or as waste.

- The glands in your skin secrete oil to keep it soft and healthy.
- The pancreas secretes insulin directly into the bloodstream to regulate glucose levels after a meal.

Usage: The verb is transitive and takes the substance produced as its direct object.

### 2. to hide

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to hide something in a secret place.

For teachers: to conceal or hide something away, often in a small or private space.

- He managed to secrete the stolen documents inside the lining of his coat.
- The spy had secreted a miniature camera within a hollowed-out book on the library shelf.

Teaching tip: This sense is much less common than the biological one and is found mostly in formal literature or crime reports.

## Examples

- The pancreas secretes insulin to help control blood sugar.
- Certain plants can secrete a sticky substance to trap insects and protect themselves from predators.
- The endocrine system relies on glands that secrete chemical messengers directly into the bloodstream to regulate long-term physiological processes.

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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.