What does secretly mean?
Secretly is an adverb meaning in a private or concealed way, without others knowing or noticing. It is used for actions and feelings that someone deliberately keeps hidden, such as privately arranging a gift, admiring another person, or disagreeing with a decision. The word can imply ordinary privacy, as in “we spoke secretly,” but it can also suggest secrecy that is suspicious or unofficial, as in secretly planning an escape or communicating with someone in confidence. Secretly is especially useful when the information is important for understanding a story, conversation, or situation: it signals that a second, hidden layer of activity exists. Although close in meaning to covertly and privately, secretly is more general and familiar. It is equally standard in British and American English and can describe literal concealment, private feelings, or figurative undisclosed influence.
adverbIn a private or concealed manner, without others knowing or noticing. It can also describe acting in a covert or unofficial way.
- Without other people knowing or noticing; privately.
- In a concealed or covert manner, especially when doing something unofficial or discreet.
"She secretly arranged for the tickets to be delivered before the announcement."
"They secretly discussed the proposal before telling the rest of the team."
"The novel explores the ways in which people can secretly resist authority."
Secretly shares a root with Latin secretus, meaning “private” or “separate,” so it carries the idea of keeping something apart from view.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does secretly come from?
The word secret comes from Latin secretus, meaning “separate” or “private,” which developed from the verb secernere, meaning “to separate.” The English adjective was established long before the adverb secretly, which was formed by adding the productive suffix -ly to secret. Related English words such as secrecy, secrete, and secretion preserve the same Latin root and its associations with privacy and concealment.
How secretly is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in everyday speech, formal writing, and literary contexts. It can simply mean privately, but it often suggests deliberate concealment, discretion, or action outside public awareness.
Easily confused with secretly
Secretly describes doing something without others knowing, whereas secretive describes a person who habitually conceals information.