secrecy

[see-kruh-see]

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.

secrecy

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of secrecy¹

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

Example Sentences

“This is about ending secrecy wherever abuse of power takes root,” said Anouska De Georgiou, who was among the Epstein victims who held a news conference on Capitol Hill.

From Los Angeles Times

People living near Chang'an Avenue, which leads to Tiananmen square, were told to stay off their balconies to ensure the rehearsals could be held in secrecy.

From BBC

The clubs recruit in person at gyms, protests and local events, vetting new members to ensure they share the group’s beliefs and can be trusted to maintain secrecy.

From Salon

But details of how it was built have been shrouded in secrecy, and human rights groups have criticised the alleged harsh treatment of workers.

From BBC

In his debut novel, Milo Todd tells the story of a trans man in Berlin who must adjust to a life of secrecy after Hitler ascends to power.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confidence 
• confidentiality www.thesaurus.com
• isolation 
• mystery 
• reticence 
• silence 
• solitude