Secretive: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing a person who likes to keep information or their own activities hidden. Often implies an intentional effort to conceal something.

• She was very secretive about her plans for the weekend.
• His secretive behavior made everyone suspicious.

Used for someone who prefers to keep their personal matters and feelings confidential. It focuses more on personal boundaries rather than hiding something intentionally.

• She is a very private person and rarely shares details about her life.
• He likes to keep his personal matters private and separate from his work.

Describes a person who is restrained in speech or behavior, generally quiet and not very outgoing. It emphasizes a natural tendency to be introverted.

• He is usually reserved during social events, preferring to listen rather than speak.
• Her reserved nature made it difficult for her to make new friends.

Appropriate for describing something or someone that is difficult to understand or explain, often invoking a sense of intrigue or curiosity.

• The old house at the end of the street has a mysterious charm.
• He was known for his mysterious aura and unpredictability.

Used to describe someone who habitually keeps things hidden or private. This is often neutral but can imply a lack of transparency.

• She was very secretive about her past
• He has a secretive nature that makes it hard to trust him

Implying actions done secretly and unnoticed, often to avoid disapproval or to hide something that is not allowed.

• She took a surreptitious glance at the answer key
• The thief made a surreptitious entry into the house

Describes actions that are done quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed. It often implies careful and deliberate efforts to remain undetected.

• The cat made a stealthy approach to its prey
• The spy moved in a stealthy manner through the building

Used when referring to activities that are done in secret because they are illicit or unauthorized. These activities are often planned and executed secretly.

• They held a clandestine meeting in the old warehouse
• The clandestine operation was meant to avoid detection by the authorities