English Explanatory Dictionary

confidential

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Kept, or meant to be kept, secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly.
  2. Inclined to share confidences; (of things) making people inclined to share confidences; involving the sharing of confidences.
  3. Having someone's confidence or trust; having a position requiring trust; worthy of being trusted with confidences.

Pronunciation

kŏn′fĭ-dĕn′shəl /ˌkɒn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/ /ˌkɒn.fɪˈden.ʃəl/ /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/ /ˌkɑn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃəl/ en-us-confidential.ogg /ˌkɔn.fɪˈden.ʃəl/ /ˌkɒn.fəˈden.ʃəl/ /ˌkɔn.fɪˈdɛn.ʃʌl/ /ˌkɔn.fɪˈɖɛ(ː)n.ʃi̯al/

Word forms

confidential more confidential most confidential

Etymology

From Latin cōnfīdentia + English -al. Possibly a calque of French confidentiel. First attested in 1641.

Synonyms

private classified off the record privileged secret dern

Antonyms

public on the record

Related words

confide confidence

Derived words

confidential informant confidentiality confidentially confidentialness nonconfidential unconfidential
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