1 confidential | Definition of confidential
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

confidential

adjective
con·​fi·​den·​tial | \ ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce confidential (audio) \

Definition of confidential

1 : marked by intimacy or willingness to confide a confidential tone
2 : private, secret confidential information
3 : entrusted with confidences a confidential clerk
4 : containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest — compare secret, top secret
Other Words from confidential Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about confidential

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from confidential

confidentiality \ ˌkän-​fə-​ˌden(t)-​shē-​ˈa-​lə-​tē How to pronounce confidentiality (audio) \ noun
confidentially \ ˌkän-​fə-​ˈden(t)-​sh(ə-​)lē How to pronounce confidentially (audio) \ adverb

Examples of confidential in a Sentence

These documents are completely confidential. “I have something to tell you,” John said in a confidential tone. Her voice was quiet and confidential. She worked as a confidential secretary to the mayor for many years.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Details of the investigation had remained confidential by law until Friday, when the board released some documents about it. — Kantele Franko, Cincinnati.com, "Review shows medical board ignored evidence about Ohio State doc's abuse," 30 Aug. 2019 Details of the investigation had remained confidential by law until Friday, when the board released some documents about it. — Washington Post, "Review: Board ignored evidence about Ohio State doc’s abuse," 30 Aug. 2019 The confidential material in that memo entailed six words ‘‘from a statement by President Trump comparing the relative importance of returning telephone calls from three countries,’’ the inspector general wrote. — Matt Zapotosky, BostonGlobe.com, "Comey violated policies in handling memos on interactions with Trump, inspector general finds," 29 Aug. 2019 Google accused Levandowski, one of the founding members of its self-driving car project, of downloading thousands of confidential files to a personal hard drive before resigning from the company. — Sara O'brien, CNN, "Former Uber self-driving car exec charged with alleged theft of trade secrets from Google," 27 Aug. 2019 The first was the formation in June of a subcommittee on confidential matters that included all board members except Perry. — Lilly Nguyen, Daily Pilot, "Laguna Beach school board hires law firm to fight board member’s threatened lawsuit," 23 Aug. 2019 The two of them agreed the call was confidential and the Dodgers were given permission to talk to Morgan. — Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers Dugout: Remember that time Joe Morgan almost became Dodgers manager?; previewing Dodgers-Yankees," 23 Aug. 2019 Owners currently have to provide that information to the city’s housing department, which must treat it as confidential and can only release it to nearby residents, community association leaders and City Council members. — Ian Duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore City Council passes new, tighter ethics rules after Pugh scandal," 19 Aug. 2019 But from a transparency perspective, that approach essentially keeps secret the judges' actions; the specifics of grand jury proceedings are, by law, confidential. — Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, "How crimes involving public officials are handled, from judges' shooting to Dan Forestal," 18 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confidential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of confidential

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for confidential

Latin confīdentia, taken as base of confidence entry 1 + -al entry 1 (perhaps after French confidentiel)

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for confidential

confidential

adjective
How to pronounce confidential (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of confidential

: secret or private
: showing that you are saying something that is secret or private
: trusted with secret or private information

See the full definition for confidential in the English Language Learners Dictionary

confidential

adjective
con·​fi·​den·​tial | \ ˌkän-fə-ˈden-shəl How to pronounce confidential (audio) \

Kids Definition of confidential

1 : secret entry 1 sense 1 confidential information
2 : indicating a need for secrecy She spoke in a confidential tone.
3 : trusted with secret matters a confidential assistant

Other Words from confidential

confidentially adverb

confidential

adjective
con·​fi·​den·​tial | \ ˌkän-fi-ˈden-chəl How to pronounce confidential (audio) \

Legal Definition of confidential

1 : known or conveyed only to a limited number of people a confidential disclosure
2 : marked by or indicative of intimacy, mutual trust, or willingness to confide especially between parties one of whom is in a position of superiority the confidential relationship of doctor and patient

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!