Words / B2

konf-i-DENSHL/ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃl/

Confidential means meant to be kept secret: confidential information, strictly confidential. Secret is everyday; private is about personal life, not always official secrecy. Confidentiality is the noun; in confidence means privately. In speech, keep this to yourself is enough. Marks, medical notes, and references are often confidential. Do not stamp confidential on a lunch menu and expect the word to still mean something.

Meaning

Meant to be kept secret.

Examples

• “Please keep this information confidential.”
• “Please keep the shortlist confidential until Friday’s announcement.”
• “Confidential feedback went to the candidate, not onto the staffroom table.”

Good to know

Meant to be kept secret. Noun: confidentiality. Everyday: secret / keep it to yourself. Contrast: private (personal). in confidence.

Near in meaning

secret

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