Key Difference: Secret and Confidential are two different words in the English language. If you want to know the contradictions of these terms in detail, then keep reading this post. Generally, a secret is “Not meant to be known by others” and confidential refers to “Any information that is intended to be kept secret.” Let’s get into this post and know the differences between them with a proper explanation.
Secret: He always keeps a secret.
Confidential: It is the most confidential information.
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Secret:
Not meant to be known by others.
Usually, a secret is not known or seen by others. In other words, a secret is something kept hidden or unexplained. Let’s see an example to make it easy for you. We received a secret code, so we should be alert. From this statement, we might understand that someone says that they received a hidden message and needs to be aware. Here we come up with another example for your reference. I want to tell you a secret. From this statement, we might understand that he or she wants to share a secret.
How Do We Spell the Word Secret?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word Secret is ˈsiːkrɪt. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Secret” by syllables.
- The word “Secret” has two syllables.
- It can be divided into “Se-cret.”
Using “Secret” in sentences:
- There is no secret between us.
- She told me a secret.
- Archeology reveals the secrets of the past.
- You should keep this plan secret.
- Is there any secret?
Confidential:
Any information that is intended to be kept secret.
Confidential information is something that is intended to be kept secret. Confidentiality is generally related to official usage like confidential files, confidential papers, etc. Let’s see an example to make it clear for you. They took a most confidential file from my table. From this sentence, we might understand that a few people take a file that contains sensitive information. Here we come up with another example. This communication is confidential.
How Do We Spell the Word Confidential?
The phonetics pronunciation of the word Confidential is kɒnfɪˈdɛnʃ(ə)l. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Confidential” by syllables.
- The word “Confidential” has four syllables.
- It can be divided into “Con-fi-den-tial.”
Using “Confidential” in sentences:
- We received confidential information in an Email.
- Lock up these confidential reports.
- The medical reports are confidential.
- He is a confidential secretary of Mr. Robin.
- The confidential information will be leaked if they get a small detail.
Compare: Secret Vs Confidential
This table will show the contradiction between the words’ Secret and Confidential.
| Secret | Confidential | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It refers to not meant to be known by others. | Any information that is intended to be kept secret. |
| Synonyms | Top secret, restricted, unrevealed, untold, unknown. | Private, personal, sensitive, unofficial |
| Antonyms | Known, public, visible, open | Public, on the record |
| Etymology | late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin secretus (adjective) ‘separate, set apart’, from the verb secernere, from se- ‘apart’ + cernere ‘sift’. | 1759, “indicating the confiding of a private intimacy,” from Latin confidentia (see confidence) + -al (1). Sense of “intended to be treated as private” is from 1773; that of “enjoying the confidence of another” is from 1805. |
| Examples | What is the secret? This is an open secret. The secret to success is to keep trying. Don’t tell him any secret. Let me tell you a secret. | Don’t repeat what I Said is confidential. Doctors always keep their patients’ records confidential. All the information will be treated as confidential. The whole process must be strictly confidential. This phone call is strictly confidential. |
Resources and References:
Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (Secret, Confidential), Merriam-Webster (Secret, Confidential), Collins Dictionary (Secret, Confidential), Dictionary.com (Secret, Confidential)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2], CollinsDictionary.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].