confidential

adjective

con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
Synonyms of confidential
1
a
: intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class : private, secret
confidential information
b
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest compare secret, top secret
2
: marked by intimacy or willingness to confide
a confidential tone
3
: entrusted with confidences (see confidence sense 4)
a confidential clerk
confidentiality
ˌkän-fə-ˌden(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce confidential (audio)
noun
confidentially
ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē How to pronounce confidential (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of confidential

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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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Details of the contract have been mostly kept secret, as both companies said the agreement contained confidential business information. — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026 Your complaint probably will not remain completely confidential. — William Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Of course, the agency must protect confidential information, including the identities of informants, but the path of its decision-making should be made clear. — Charity Ryerson, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Safe, free and confidential services are available across the state at CCADV’s 18 member organizations and accessible 24/7 through Safe Connect, Connecticut’s domestic violence information and resource line. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confidential

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of confidential was in 1740

Rhymes for confidential

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Browse Nearby Words

confident
confidential
confidential employee
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Cite this Entry

“Confidential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidential. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

confidential

adjective
con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fə-ˈden-chəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
1
: secret entry 1 sense 1a, private
confidential information
2
: indicating or suggesting closeness : intimate
a confidential tone of voice
3
: trusted with secret matters
a confidential secretary
confidentially
-ˈdench-(ə-)lē How to pronounce confidential (audio)
adverb

Legal Definition

confidential

adjective
con·​fi·​den·​tial ˌkän-fi-ˈden-chəl How to pronounce confidential (audio)
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
3
: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest
confidentiality
ˌkän-fi-ˌden-chē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce confidential (audio)
noun
confidentially adverb
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