secretly
SEE-kriht-lee
Secretly (adverb) means In a way that is hidden from others. Example: “He secretly kept the old photograph in his wallet for years.”
adverb
1
In a way that is hidden from others.
"He secretly kept the old photograph in his wallet for years."
"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
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Etymology
From "secret" plus the adverb suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for secretly
See all rhymes for secretly →Frequently asked questions
What does “secretly” mean?
The word “secretly” means in a way that is hidden from others. In plain terms, done or felt without other people knowing.
How do you pronounce “secretly”?
“Secretly” is pronounced SEE-kriht-lee (/ˈsiː.kɹɪt.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “secretly” in a sentence?
Here is “secretly” used in a sentence: “She secretly hoped he would forget her birthday.”
What part of speech is “secretly”?
“Secretly” is an adverb.
Is “secretly” a common word?
“Secretly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between secretly and privately?
Secretly means deliberately hidden from others, with an element of concealment: "he secretly recorded the call." Privately simply means away from public view or shared with only certain people, without implying concealment: "they spoke privately after the meeting."
What is the difference between secretly and covertly?
Both mean in a way hidden from others, but covertly is more formal and typical of official, military, or intelligence contexts, as in "covertly monitored." Secretly is the everyday word, and it also covers unspoken feelings, as in "she secretly agreed."
Where does secretly go in a sentence?
Secretly most often sits before the main verb: "he secretly hoped she would stay." It can also open a sentence for emphasis — "Secretly, I was relieved" — a position often used for hidden feelings rather than hidden actions.
