Secretly

/ˈsiː.krət.li/

Meaning & Definition

adverb

In a secret manner; not openly or publicly; concealed from others.

She secretly wished to travel the world but never expressed it.

In a way that is intended to be kept hidden or unknown.

They secretly planned a surprise party for their friend.

With the intention of remaining unnoticed or undetected.

He secretly followed her to see where she was going.

Without the knowledge of others; done in privacy.

The two countries secretly negotiated a peace treaty.

In a hidden or encrypted manner.

She secretly communicated via coded messages.

Middle English, from Old French 'secret' + '-ly' (adverbial suffix)

keep a secret

To not share information with others.

secretive about

Being unwilling to share information.

a secret admirer

Someone who loves or likes another without revealing their identity.

secret

Something kept hidden or unknown.

conceal

To keep something from being seen or known.

covert

Not openly acknowledged or displayed.

In the shadows

They were working in the shadows on their project.

On the down-low

He was seeing her on the down-low, no one knew.