open secret

noun

: a supposedly secret but generally known matter

Examples of open secret in a Sentence

It's an open secret that he's been cheating on his wife.
Recent Examples on the Web The lawsuit claims the abuse of young athletes was known and tolerated for years as an 'open secret' in the sport. Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 20 June 2024 That the courtesy cards act as a kind of force-field to ward off low-level enforcement is so widely known as to barely qualify as an open secret. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2024 In the remote northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, trading cash and gifts for votes is an open secret. Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 31 May 2024 But the open secret among data watchers is that YouTube has emerged as one the biggest threats eating the traditional media companies’ lunch. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for open secret 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'open secret.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open secret was in 1828

Dictionary Entries Near open secret

Cite this Entry

“Open secret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20secret. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

open secret

noun
: something supposed to be a secret but in fact generally known

More from Merriam-Webster on open secret

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