confidential

/,kɔnfi'denʃl/

Thân thiện

The manager placed the confidential report in a locked drawer.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Private, secret, not to be shared: Refers to information that is meant to be kept private, shared only with a specific, trusted person or group.
   • Entrusted with secrets, intimate: Describes a relationship or communication characterized by trust and the sharing of private matters.
   • Classified (official): Denotes an official level of document classification, indicating restricted access.

Usage

• Use "confidential" to describe information, documents, or conversations that are private and must not be disclosed to unauthorized people.
• It can describe a person who is trusted with private information or a manner of speaking that implies secrecy.
• It is often used in formal, business, legal, and personal contexts.

Examples

• Describing Information:
  • All patient records are strictly confidential.
  • She gave me confidential advice about the deal.
• Describing Communication/Manner:
  • He spoke in a confidential tone, leaning closer.
  • Their meeting was highly confidential.
• Describing a Trusted Person/Position:
  • She worked as a confidential secretary to the CEO.
  • He is a confidential agent for the government.

Advanced Usage

• "In strict confidence" / "On a confidential basis": Phrases emphasizing the secret nature of an exchange.
  • The information was provided on a strictly confidential basis.
• "Confidentiality agreement" / "Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)": A legal contract to keep information secret.
  • All employees must sign a confidentiality agreement.

Variants and Related Words

• Confidentially (adverb): In a private or secret manner.
  • She spoke confidentially about her plans.
• Confidentiality (noun): The state of keeping or being kept secret or private.
  • The law protects the confidentiality of medical information.

Synonyms

• Private: Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group only.
• Secret: Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others.
• Classified: (Of information or documents) designated as officially secret.
• Privileged: Confined to an individual or group, especially information.

Antonyms

• Public: Known to many people; not private.
• Open: Allowing access, passage, or a view; not closed or blocked.
• Common knowledge: Something known by most people.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Between you and me / Between ourselves: A phrase used to introduce a confidential statement.
  • Between you and me, I think the project will be canceled.
• Off the record: Not made as an official or attributable statement.
  • His comments were made off the record and are confidential.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. the level of official classification for documents next above restricted and below secret; available only to persons authorized to see documents so classified
2. denoting confidence or intimacy
   • a confidential approach
   • in confidential tone of voice
3. (of information) given in confidence or in secret
   • this arrangement must be kept confidential
   • their secret communications
4. entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
   • a confidential secretary

Từ đồng nghĩa

• secret