adj
Uncommon
clandestine
klan-DEHS-tihn
Clandestine (adj) means Kept secret, especially because the activity is improper or illicit. Example: “They held a clandestine meeting away from prying eyes.”
adj
1
Kept secret, especially because the activity is improper or illicit.
"clandestine military operations"
"And (Wouter) Basson (who had worked on South Africa's clandestine bioweapons program) was there, too."
— Olivia Ward, The shadowy world of bioweapons (2009)
"They held a clandestine meeting away from prying eyes."
"The spy carried out several clandestine operations."
How to use clandestine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSecret, often with a hint that the secrecy is deliberate and a bit shady.
When to use it
Fairly formal; often used for espionage, affairs, or illegal activity.
Common pairings
clandestine meeting
clandestine operation
clandestine affair
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more clandestine
- Superlative
- most clandestine
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They held a _____ meeting away from prying eyes.
Etymology
From Latin clandestīnus ("secret, concealed").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for clandestine
See all rhymes for clandestine →Frequently asked questions
What does “clandestine” mean?
The word “clandestine” means kept secret, especially because the activity is improper or illicit. In plain terms, secret, often with a hint that the secrecy is deliberate and a bit shady.
How do you pronounce “clandestine”?
“Clandestine” is pronounced klan-DEHS-tihn (/klænˈdɛst(a)ɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “clandestine” in a sentence?
Here is “clandestine” used in a sentence: “They held a clandestine meeting away from prying eyes.”
What part of speech is “clandestine”?
“Clandestine” is an adjective.
Where does the word “clandestine” come from?
The word “clandestine” comes from Latin. From Latin clandestīnus ("secret, concealed").
Is “clandestine” a common word?
“Clandestine” is an uncommon word in modern English.
