CONFIDENTIAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does confidential mean? 

• CONFIDENTIAL (adjective)
  The adjective CONFIDENTIAL has 4 senses:

1. entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

2. (of information) given in confidence or in secret

3. denoting confidence or intimacy

4. the level of official classification for documents next above restricted and below secret; available only to persons authorized to see documents so classified

  Familiarity information: CONFIDENTIAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONFIDENTIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

Context example:

a confidential secretary

Similar:

private (confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy)

Derivation:

confidence (a trustful relationship)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(of information) given in confidence or in secret

Synonyms:

confidential; secret

Context example:

their secret communications

Similar:

private (confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy)

Derivation:

confidence (a secret that is confided or entrusted to another)

confidentiality (discretion in keeping secret information)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Denoting confidence or intimacy

Context example:

in confidential tone of voice

Similar:

close (close in relevance or relationship)

Derivation:

confidence (a feeling of trust (in someone or something))

Sense 4

Meaning:

The level of official classification for documents next above restricted and below secret; available only to persons authorized to see documents so classified

Similar:

classified (official classification of information or documents; withheld from general circulation)

Derivation:

confidentiality (the state of being secret)

 Context examples 

We won't be confidential, and we'll make ourselves as happy as we can in spite of her, and we'll tease her, and not please her—won't we, Jip?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Finally, on December 22, Mars in your tenth house of honors, awards, and achievement will be in conversation with Pluto in your confidential sector.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I have had some confidential talks with Mr. James Wilder, his Grace’s secretary.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He was most highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy, a most intimate, confidential friend.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“I always get along with the officers,” he remarked to me in a confidential tone.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Now some ducks were sitting together quietly by a brook and taking their rest; and, whilst they were making their feathers smooth with their bills, they were having a confidential conversation together.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

He intended to leave his daughter under the care of a confidential servant, to follow at her leisure with the greater part of his property, which had not yet arrived at Leghorn.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

There is also one confidential manservant.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then with a little confidential chuckle of laughter, he patted me two or three times on the chest, finally pushing me back into my chair.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And then, as Morgan rolled back to his seat, Silver added to me in a confidential whisper that was very flattering, as I thought, He's quite an honest man, Tom Morgan, on'y stupid.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)