secret
gb/sˈikɹɪt/ us/sˈikɹɪt/
A2
English
~ 2600
titok, titkos, kulcs
NOUN
A2
1
titok
A2
Usage pattern:
to keep [a secret]
She told me a secret about her childhood.
Elárult nekem egy titkot a gyerekkoráról.
The company’s new product is a closely guarded secret.
A cég új terméke szigorúan őrzött titok.
You can trust him; he knows how to keep a secret.
They finally revealed the secret after many years.
This recipe is a family secret.
Learner examples
I told my friend a secret.
Elmondtam a barátomnak egy titkot.
He can keep a secret.
Tud titkot tartani.
She shared a secret with me.
We have a big secret.
Do not tell anyone this secret.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'secret' with 'mystery'; 'secret' is something known by someone but hidden from others, while 'mystery' can be unknown to everyone.
Meaning
Something not told to others
Collocations
keep a secret
|tell a secret
|reveal a secret
|share a secret
|guard a secret
Synonyms
confidential information (More formal and often used in professional or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
public knowledge (Information that is known by everyone.)
Themes
relationships
|privacy
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you know but do not tell other people.
Information that is intentionally kept unknown to others.
A2
2
titkos
A2
Usage pattern:
a secret [plan/place/meeting]
They held a secret meeting late at night.
Titkos megbeszélést tartottak késő este.
The spy carried out a secret mission.
A kém titkos küldetést hajtott végre.
We found a secret path through the forest.
She has a secret talent for singing.
Learner examples
We met in a secret place.
Egy titkos helyen találkoztunk.
He told me about his secret plan.
Elmondta nekem a titkos tervét.
This is our secret room.
She has a secret box.
Common mistake:
Learners may misuse 'secret' when 'private' is more appropriate; 'secret' implies intentional concealment, while 'private' may simply mean personal.
Meaning
Hidden or not known by others
Collocations
secret meeting
|secret plan
|secret location
|secret code
Synonyms
hidden (General term for not being visible or known; may refer to physical or abstract things.)
Antonyms
open (Not hidden; accessible or visible to all.)
Themes
privacy
|security
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not known or seen by other people.
Kept hidden from the knowledge or view of others.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
the secret to [success/happiness/etc.]
The secret to her success is hard work and persistence.
Sikerének kulcsa a kemény munka és a kitartás.
This sauce’s amazing flavor comes from one secret ingredient.
Ennek a szósznak a csodálatos íze egy különleges hozzávalóban rejlik.
Patience is the secret to good gardening.
Learner examples
The secret to my good cake is fresh milk.
A finom süteményem titka a friss tej.
Hard work is the secret to his success.
A kemény munka a sikerének kulcsa.
The secret ingredient makes it taste great.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'secret' here with 'mystery'; this sense refers to a known method or factor, not something unexplained.
Meaning
Key factor for achieving success
Collocations
secret to success
|secret ingredient
|secret formula
Synonyms
key (Metaphorical term meaning an essential factor for achieving something.)
Antonyms
obstacle (Something that makes success harder instead of easier.)
Themes
success
|self-improvement
|work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that helps you succeed when other people do not know about it.
A special method, quality, or ingredient that makes someone or something successful.
Grammar
Dictionary form
secret
IPA
GB/sˈikɹɪt/
US/sˈikɹɪt/
Syllables & stress
secret (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (secret)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: secret
Noun
- Base: secret
- Plural: secret, secrets
Word family
Expressions
keep a secret
3/kˈip ə sˈikɹɪt/
fixed phrase
Not tell hidden information
To not tell other people something you know.
Examples
- Can you keep a secret? I’m getting married next month.
- She promised to keep my secret no matter what.
the secret to [something]
4/ðə sˈikɹɪt tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Key factor for achieving something
The most important thing that helps you get or do something well.
Examples
- The secret to learning a language is daily practice.
- Fresh ingredients are the secret to this dish’s flavor.
in secret
1/ˈɪn sˈikɹɪt/
fixed phrase
Do something without others knowing
To do something so that other people do not know about it.
Examples
- They met in secret to discuss the plan.
- He worked in secret on his invention.
in secret
2/ˈɪn sˈikɹɪt/
fixed phrase
hidden from others
Done so that other people do not know about it.
Examples
- They met in secret to discuss the deal.
- The two friends worked in secret on their project.