secretive

adjective

se·​cre·​tive ˈsē-krə-tiv 

si-ˈkrē-

: disposed to secrecy : not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun

Synonyms

• close
• closemouthed
• dark
• reticent
• tight-mouthed
• uncommunicative

Choose the Right Synonym for secretive

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking.

silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

Examples of secretive in a Sentence

He's very secretive about his work.

the intelligence agency remained secretive despite the media's demands for more openness in government

Recent Examples on the Web

The often secretive, bipartisan panel has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. —Farnoush Amiri and Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

The busy schedule began Monday night with what had been a secretive mission leading up to launch. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024

The cast that was involved in the most secretive elements of the season got the full scripts, but that was a very small portion of the creative folks involved. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

The Black Doves is so secretive that even Helen isn’t entirely sure who else works for the organization…or if the organization is working against her. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from secretiveness, partial translation of French secrétivité

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

secretive

adjective

se·​cre·​tive ˈsē-krət-iv 

si-ˈkrēt-

: having a tendency toward secrecy and concealment : not frank or open

secretively adverb

secretiveness noun