secretly
gb/sˈikɹɪtli/ us/sˈikɹɪtli/
B1
Inglês
~ 4000
Aceções
0 aceções
adverb
B1
property
1
in a hidden or private way
In a way that other people do not know about or cannot see.
Padrão de uso:
to [do something] secretly
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'secretly' with 'quietly'. 'Quietly' refers to low volume, while 'secretly' refers to hiding actions or intentions.
Sinónimos
covertly (Slightly more formal and often used in political, military, or official contexts.)
|
privately (Focuses on being away from public view, not necessarily with secrecy as the main goal.)
Antónimos
openly (Done in a way that is visible and known to others.)
|
publicly (Done where anyone can see or know about it.)
Colocações
secretly meet
|secretly plan
|secretly record
|secretly admire
|secretly hope
Temas
privacy
|behavior
|daily life
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- She secretly applied for another job.
- They were secretly dating for months before telling anyone.
- He secretly recorded their conversation without permission.
- She secretly admired his work from afar.
- The group secretly planned the surprise party.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- I secretly ate the last cookie.
- He secretly likes her.
- They are secretly friends.
- She secretly watches that TV show.
- We secretly planned a trip.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
secretly
IPA
GB/sˈikɹɪtli/
US/sˈikɹɪtli/
Sílabas e acento
secretly (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (secretly)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: secretly
- Plural: secretlies
Família de palavras
Expressões
keep it under wraps
1/kˈip ˈɪt ˈʌndɚ ɹˈæps/
idiom
informal
keep something hidden temporarily
To not tell people about something until the right time.
Exemplos
- We're keeping the new product under wraps until next month.
- She kept her travel plans under wraps.
keep something secret
1/kˈip sˈʌmθɪŋ sˈikɹɪt/
fixed phrase
not tell others about something
To not tell other people about something.
Exemplos
- She managed to keep the plan secret until the big day.
- He kept the news secret from his family.
hush-hush
1/hˈʌʃ hˈʌʃ/
idiom
informal
kept very secret
Secret and not talked about openly; only a few people are allowed to know about it.
Exemplos
- The project is still very hush-hush, so we can't say much.
- He was invited to a hush-hush meeting with the top executives.
- Everything about the deal was kept hush-hush until it was signed.
hush-hush
2/hˈʌʃ hˈʌʃ/
idiom
informal
kept secret or confidential
Something meant to be kept secret.
Exemplos
- The project is still hush-hush for now.
- It was all very hush-hush until the official announcement.
in secret
1/ˈɪn sˈikɹɪt/
fixed phrase
Do something without others knowing
To do something so that other people do not know about it.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- They met in secret to discuss the deal.
- The two friends worked in secret on their project.
behind closed doors
1/bɪhˈaɪnd klˈoʊzd dˈɔɹz/
idiom
with no outsiders present
in a private place, with no people from outside watching or listening
Exemplos
- The negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- Important negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- The key decisions were made behind closed doors.
- They prefer to discuss family matters behind closed doors.
- They always argue behind closed doors.
- They like to keep their negotiations behind closed doors.
- A lot of bullying happens behind closed doors, where teachers cannot see it.
behind closed doors
2/bɪhˈaɪnd klˈoʊzd dˈɔɹz/
idiom
In private, secretly
In secret, where other people cannot see or know what happens.
Exemplos
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They discussed the matter behind closed doors.
behind closed doors
3/bɪhˈaɪnd klˈoʊzd dˈɔɹz/
idiom
In private, secretly
Happening in private, where people cannot see or know about it.
Exemplos
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They met behind closed doors to discuss the plan.