Secrecy: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to the act of keeping something hidden, often to protect sensitive or important information. Secrecy can imply a level of mystery or intrigue.

• The project's success depended heavily on secrecy
• The company's secrecy around their new product led to much speculation

Commonly used in professional or legal contexts to denote the obligation to protect someone's private information or data from unauthorized access.

• Medical professionals must maintain patient confidentiality
• Our agreement includes a confidentiality clause to protect trade secrets

Usually refers to the condition of being free from public attention or the ability to keep one's personal matters and information secure and undisclosed.

• Everyone has the right to privacy in their own home
• She moved to a secluded house to ensure her privacy

Used to describe something that is not transparent or not easily understood, often in contexts where lack of clarity or transparency is being criticized.

• The opacity of the financial documents made it hard to understand the company's real position
• Critics argued that the government's opacity hindered public trust