secretive

CEFRB1

/ˈsiːkɹɪtɪv/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Trying to keep information or actions hidden.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Relating to secretion.

Examples

  • He is very secretive in regard to his family life.

  • Roy is secretive and Ted is candid.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2
Synonyms
2

Also pronounced

  • /səˈkɹiːtɪv/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. Having an inclination to secrecy.

More examples

In context

  • Why are you being so secretive?

  • She's a secretive girl, not giving away much about her life.

  • Why are you acting all secretive? What are you hiding?

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The blank agent never revealed his true identity to anyone during the mission.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

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