Definition
Tending to keep secrets or hide information; not open or honest about one's actions or intentions.
Etymology
From Latin 'secretus' meaning 'separated' or 'hidden,' with the suffix '-ive' added to mean 'tending to be.' The root suggests something set apart from others.
Kelly Says
Secretive behavior is common in nature—animals use camouflage and deception constantly. But humans' ability to keep secrets is uniquely powerful because we use language to hide our thoughts, which animals largely cannot do!
Translations
CACatalà
secret
seh-kreh-t
CSČeština
tajemný
tah-yem-nee
DADansk
hemmelig
heh-meh-leeg
DEDeutsch
geheimnisvoll
gay-haym-nee-svohl
ELΕλληνικά
μυστικός
mystikos
ESEspañol
secreto
seh-kreh-toh
FISuomi
salainen
sah-lah-ee-neh
FRFrançais
secret
seh-kreh
HUMagyar
titkos
tee-tkohsh
IDBahasa Indonesia
rahasia
rah-hah-see-ah
ITItaliano
segreto
seh-greh-toh
KKKK
жасырын
zhah-seer-een
MSBahasa Melayu
rahsia
rah-see-ah
MYမြန်မာ
လျှို့ဝှက်
hlyoh-wet
NLNederlands
geheim
ghay-haym
NONorsk
hemmelig
heh-meh-leeg
PLPolski
tajemniczy
tah-yem-nee-chy
PTPortuguês
secreto
seh-kreh-toh
RORomână
secret
seh-kreh-t
RUРусский
секретный
syek-ryet-nee
SVSvenska
hemlig
hehm-leeg
TAதமிழ்
ரகசிய
rah-kee-see-yah
TEతెలుగు
రహస్య
rah-hah-syah
UKУкраїнська
таємний
tah-yem-nee
VITiếng Việt
bí mật
bee maht
YOYO
awọn ọrọ
ah-wohn oh-roh
ZUZU
isithunzi
ee-see-thoon-zee