adverb
secretly
SEE-kriht-lee
adverb
1
In a way that is hidden from others.
"She secretly hoped he would forget her birthday."
"They secretly planned a surprise party for their mother."
How to Use Secretly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone or felt without other people knowing.
Common pairings
secretly hoped
secretly planned
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “secretly”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ hoped he would forget her birthday.
Etymology
From "secret" plus the adverb suffix "-ly."