Word
secretive
Phoneticsse·cre·tive, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsikɹətɪv/
UK/sˈiːkɹətˌɪv/
Definition
adj. keeping your thoughts, feelings, or actions hidden from other people. You use this to describe someone who does not like to share information about what they are doing.
adj. inclined to conceal one's activities, thoughts, or intentions from others. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'become'.
Examples
“He is very secretive about his new project.”
“The tech company is famously secretive about its upcoming products to prevent competitors from copying their designs.”
“While the administration promised total transparency, their secretive handling of the budget negotiations suggested a deep-seated reluctance to face public scrutiny.”
Examples
simple
“He is very secretive about his new project.”
contextual
“The tech company is famously secretive about its upcoming products to prevent competitors from copying their designs.”
complex
“While the administration promised total transparency, their secretive handling of the budget negotiations suggested a deep-seated reluctance to face public scrutiny.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'about' when specifying the hidden information.
Real-World Examples
“Up until the 1990s, central bank policymaking was secretive and could sometimes take markets by surprise.” “A secretive WhatsApp group was pinging with notifications throughout Wednesday, letting its members know where in London the latest “drop” would take place.” Etymology
From Middle English secretife, equivalent to secret + -ive.
From secrete + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/secretive