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Confidential Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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confidential

[หŒkษ’nfษชหˆdenสƒษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

information security

Intended to be kept secret or private, often because it is of a sensitive nature.

Synonyms

classified, private, secret.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
confidential

Used when referring to information that is meant to be kept secret, often in professional or formal settings such as medical records or business discussions.

  • The documents are confidential and should not be shared with anyone outside the company.
  • Please handle this matter with confidentiality.
secret

Used to describe something that is meant to be hidden from others. It can be used in casual or serious situations.

  • She told him a secret that no one else knew.
  • The location of the hidden treasure is a secret.
private

Used for information that is personal or sensitive and is not meant for public knowledge. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • She kept her private thoughts to herself.
  • This is a private conversation, please leave us alone.
classified

Often used in a governmental or military context to describe information that is restricted and only accessible to individuals with the proper clearance.

  • The report contains classified information about national security.
  • Only authorized personnel can access the classified files.

Examples of usage

  • The files are confidential and should not be shared with anyone outside the team.
  • Please keep this information confidential until the official announcement is made.
Context #2 | Noun

business

A confidential report or document, usually containing sensitive information.

Synonyms

classified document, private report.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
confidential

Used to describe information that is meant to be kept secret and not disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

  • The email contained confidential information about the company's new product launch.
  • Please ensure that these documents remain confidential.
classified document

Used in official and government settings to describe information that requires a specific level of clearance to access. It has a formal and often legal connotation.

  • Only personnel with proper clearance can view the classified documents.
  • They found several classified documents during the investigation.
private report

Used when referring to reports or documentation intended for specific individuals or groups, often within a company or organization, and not for public release.

  • The board received a private report detailing the financial performance of the last quarter.
  • Please review the private report before our next meeting.

Examples of usage

  • The CEO reviewed the confidential before presenting it to the board.
  • She was asked to sign a confidentiality agreement before accessing the confidential documents.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law

  • Confidentiality agreements, or NDAs, are legal contracts that prevent sharing sensitive information.
  • In the medical field, patient confidentiality is crucial, protecting personal health information under laws like HIPAA.
  • Breach of confidentiality can lead to legal consequences, highlighting its importance in professional settings.

Business

  • In business, maintaining confidentiality can foster trust between clients and service providers.
  • Companies often conduct confidential internal audits to assess risks without public scrutiny.
  • Confidential communication tools are used to protect sensitive business conversations from leaks.

Psychology

  • Confidentiality is vital in therapy, allowing patients to share without fear of judgment or exposure.
  • The therapeutic alliance relies heavily on trust, which is built by ensuring confidentiality.
  • Studying the effects of confidentiality can reveal the boundary between personal and shared information.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and TV shows often feature plots centered around secret documents, government conspiracies, and the struggle to keep information confidential.
  • The phrase 'classified information' is popular in spy genres, where confidential data leads to high stakes.
  • Many celebrities use confidentiality to protect their private lives from the public eye, reinforcing the allure of intrigue.

Origin of 'confidential'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'confidentialis,' which means 'trusting.'
  • Confidential has roots in 'confidere,' meaning 'to trust' or 'have faith in' someone.
  • It became common in English during the late 15th century, originally referring to private discussions.

The word 'confidential' originated from the Latin word 'confidentialis', meaning 'entrusted with secrets'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 18th century. The concept of confidentiality has been crucial in various fields such as law, business, and information security, emphasizing the importance of keeping sensitive information private and secure.

See also: confidante, confidants, confidentially, confidently, overconfident, unconfident.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,264 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.