secret
Definitions
Kept hidden from others; not meant to be known
秘密的，机密的
Something kept hidden or known only to a few
秘密
A little-known method for achieving something; a knack
秘诀，诀窍
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedse- (apart, aside) + cret (sifted, from cernere) = sifted aside, set apart from everyone else = hidden. Picture one item pulled out of the pile and kept separate from the rest. That "set apart" is exactly what makes something secret.
Root cern still carries 28 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.keep a secret保守秘密
- 2.top secret绝密
- 3.trade secret商业机密
- 4.secret admirer暗恋者
- 5.the secret to success成功的秘诀
Example Sentences
- 1.
Can you keep a secret if I tell you something?
- 2.
The location of the new factory is still secret.
- 3.
What's the secret to making such fluffy pancakes?
- 4.
They held secret talks for several months.
Synonym Comparison
- secret — hidden, not known to others: a secret meeting
- confidential — officially restricted, shared only with authorized people: confidential documents
- private — belonging to one person, not for public access (not necessarily hidden): a private conversation
- covert — deliberately concealed, often for strategy or spying: a covert operation
- classified — formally secret by government/military rule: classified information