secrecy

Everyday

1. Secrecy is keeping something secret so others do not find out. tree →
2. Secrecy is the state of being secret. tree →

In the lessons

In stories: plans made in secrecy, surprise parties, spies. In safety lessons: some secrecy is bad — if an adult asks you to keep a secret that makes you feel unsafe, tell a trusted adult. Phrases: «in secrecy», «in great secrecy», «sworn to secrecy».

Examples

• The surprise party was planned in great secrecy. tree →
• We were sworn to secrecy about the present. tree →
• The spies worked in total secrecy. tree →
• Secrecy was important in the treasure hunt. tree →
• Don't keep secrets that make you feel scared — secrecy like that is not okay. tree →
• It must be done in all secrecy, and the priest must not know of it, otherwise I shall get into trouble, as it is forbidden. tree →

Note

Noun of «secret»; spelled with -cy (not «secretcy»). Uncountable. A surprise (a happy secret that will soon be told) is different from an unsafe secret.