secrecy

American  

[see-kruh-see] / ˈsi krə si /

noun

plural

secrecies

1. the state or condition of being secret, hidden, or concealed.

   a meeting held in secrecy.

   Synonyms:

   covertness, stealth, privacy, confidentiality

2. the state of being apart from other people; privacy; seclusion.

3. ability to keep a secret.

4. the habit or characteristic of being secretive; reticence.

5. Archaic. something that is secret or mysterious.

   the secrecies of nature.

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secrecy British  

/ ˈsiːkrɪsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being secret

2. the state of keeping something secret

3. the ability or tendency to keep things secret

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Other Word Forms

• antisecrecy adjective
• nonsecrecy noun
• prosecrecy adjective
• semisecrecy noun
• supersecrecy noun

Etymology

Origin of secrecy

1375–1425; obsolete secre (< Middle French secré secret ) + -cy; replacing late Middle English secretee, equivalent to secre + -tee -ty ²

Example Sentences

The secrecy and tardiness of Russian state media gave foreign broadcasters an advantage.

From BBC

Prisoners are frequently transferred between facilities, and secrecy around detentions, compounded by the continuing nationwide internet shutdown, have made it difficult for family members and monitoring groups to find out where detainees are held.

From The Wall Street Journal

Arguing for secrecy, the security service told judges it had stuck to its policy of not confirming or denying informants' identities.

From BBC

"Whatever the outcome, this trial has already shattered the secrecy that has shielded these companies for far too long."

From Barron's

That battle took place out of public view because of secrecy rules that apply to criminal investigations pending before a grand jury.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• confidence
• confidentiality
• isolation
• mystery
• reticence
• silence
• solitude