ENGLISH
REFERENCE

secretive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsikɹətɪv// UK //sˈiːkɹətˌɪv// se·cre·tive

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'.


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.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English secretife, equivalent to secret + -ive.

Etymology 2

From secrete + -ive.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'about' when specifying the hidden information.

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