secrecy
/'si:krisi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. The state of being kept hidden or concealed: The condition where something is not known or seen by others. 2. The practice or habit of keeping information secret: The characteristic of deliberately not revealing information.
Usage
- As a subject: Secrecy is often required in certain professions.
- As an object: The government demanded complete secrecy about the project.
- With prepositions: Discussions were held secrecy. The plan was shrouded secrecy.
Examples
- The success of the mission depended on absolute secrecy.
- They signed a contract that bound them to secrecy.
- The company operates with a high level of secrecy regarding its new product.
- The ancient society was known for its cult of secrecy.
Advanced Usage
- "Sworn to secrecy": Having made a formal promise not to reveal a secret.
- The witnesses were sworn to secrecy by the court.
- "A veil of secrecy": Something that hides the truth or facts about a situation.
- A veil of secrecy surrounds the committee's deliberations.
- "Cloak-and-dagger secrecy": Excessive or melodramatic secrecy, like in spy stories.
- The negotiations were conducted with unnecessary cloak-and-dagger secrecy.
Variants and Related Words
- Secret (noun/adj): A piece of information that is not known by others, or the quality of being hidden.
- He told me a secret.
- Secretive (adj): Inclined to conceal feelings, intentions, or information.
- She became very secretive about her work.
- Secretiveness (noun): The quality of being secretive.
- His secretiveness made his colleagues suspicious.
Synonyms
- Confidentiality: The state of keeping information private, often in a professional context.
- Privacy: The state of being free from public attention.
- Stealth: Cautious and secretive action or movement.
Antonyms
- Openness: Lack of restriction; accessibility.
- Transparency: The quality of being done in an open way without secrets.
- Publicity: The notice or attention given to someone or something by the media.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- In strict secrecy: With the utmost level of confidentiality.
- The treaty was negotiated in strict secrecy.
- Secrecy is of the essence: Secrecy is the most important or vital element.
- In this operation, secrecy is of the essence.
Noun
- the condition of being concealed or hidden
- the trait of keeping things secret