secretive

1
[ see-kri-tiv, si-kree- ]
/ ˈsi krɪ tɪv, sɪˈkri- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR secretive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having or showing a disposition to secrecy; reticent: He seems secretive about his new job.

Origin of secretive

1
1425–75; late Middle English; back formation from secretiveness (itself modeled on French secrétivité). See secret, -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM secretive

se·cre·tive·ly, adverb se·cre·tive·ness, noun

Words nearby secretive

secretary of state, secretary-general, secrete, secretin, secretion, secretive, secretoinhibitory, secretomotor, secretor, secretory, secretory carcinoma

Definition for secretive (2 of 2)

secretive 2
[ si-kree-tiv ]
/ sɪˈkri tɪv /

adjective

secretory.

Origin of secretive

2
secret(ion) + -ive

Words related to secretive

reticent, covert, enigmatic, taciturn, cagey, close, cryptic, feline, furtive, reserved, silent, tight-lipped, undercover, withdrawn, backstairs, unforthcoming

Example sentences from the Web for secretive

British Dictionary definitions for secretive

secretive
/ (ˈsiːkrɪtɪv, sɪˈkriːtɪv) /

adjective

inclined to secrecy; reticent
another word for secretory

Derived forms of secretive

secretively, adverb secretiveness, noun