Confidential vs. Secret — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 13, 2024

Confidential information is sensitive and restricted to certain people, while secret information is intended to be kept hidden from everyone except a select few.

Confidential vs. Secret — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Confidential and Secret

Key Differences

Confidential information is usually shared within an organization or between specific individuals and is intended to be protected from public access. Secrets, on the other hand, are often personal or highly sensitive matters intended to be kept hidden from almost everyone.

The term "confidential" is often used in professional or business contexts, implying that the information has restrictions on its access and distribution. Secrets can exist in both personal and professional contexts and carry a stronger implication of needing to be hidden.

Confidentiality often involves legal agreements such as NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements), ensuring that the information is not disclosed without permission. Secrets may not always involve formal agreements but rely on the trust and discretion of those who are privy to the information.

The breach of confidential information can lead to legal consequences, such as lawsuits or penalties, depending on the terms of the confidentiality agreement. The revelation of a secret might not always have legal repercussions but can lead to personal or professional fallout, such as loss of trust or damaged relationships.

While confidential information can become public knowledge if deemed necessary and released through the proper channels, secrets are typically intended to remain undisclosed indefinitely, unless the holder of the secret decides to reveal it.

Comparison Chart

Context

Professional, organizational

Personal, professional

Intent

Restricted access, protection of information

Hidden from almost everyone

Legal Agreements

Often involves NDAs

May not involve formal agreements

Consequences of Breach

Legal repercussions possible

Personal or professional fallout

Disclosure Possibility

Can be disclosed through proper channels

Intended to remain undisclosed indefinitely

Compare with Definitions

Confidential

Information that is meant to be kept private between specific people or groups, often within a professional or organizational context.

The company's financial records are confidential and shared only with authorized personnel.

Secret

Information that is intended to be kept hidden from everyone except a select few, possibly for personal or sensitive reasons.

He shared a secret with his friend, trusting her to keep it undisclosed.

Confidential

In professional settings, with access restricted to individuals who need to know for their role.

The confidential report was distributed to the board members before the meeting.

Secret

Might not have legal repercussions but can damage trust or relationships.

Revealing the secret caused a rift in their friendship that was hard to mend.

Confidential

Often protected by NDAs or confidentiality agreements.

Employees signed an NDA to ensure the project details remained confidential.

Secret

Typically intended to remain hidden indefinitely unless the holder decides to reveal it.

Decades later, the secret behind the invention was finally disclosed by the inventor's heir.

Confidential

Can be made public if released through authorized channels.

After the patent was secured, the once confidential prototype was revealed.

Secret

Can exist in both personal and professional realms, relying on discretion.

The secret formula has been passed down through generations within the family.

Confidential

Can lead to legal action, such as lawsuits or penalties.

The breach of confidential client data resulted in a hefty fine for the firm.

Secret

May not involve formal legal agreements but relies on trust.

The secret alliance between the two companies was based on a handshake deal.

Confidential

Intended to be kept secret

Confidential information

Secret

Not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others

How did you guess I'd got a secret plan?

The resupply effort was probably kept secret from Congress

Confidential

Done or communicated in confidence; secret.

Secret

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others

A state secret

At first I tried to keep it a secret from my wife

Confidential

Entrusted with the confidence of another

A confidential secretary.

Secret

Kept hidden from knowledge or view; concealed

A secret identity.

A secret passageway.

Confidential

Denoting confidence or intimacy

A confidential tone of voice.

Secret

Not expressed; inward

Secret desires.

Confidential

Containing information, the unauthorized disclosure of which poses a threat to national security.

Secret

Given to keeping one's thoughts and activities unknown to others; secretive

"Scrooge ... was secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster" (Charles Dickens).

Confidential

Kept, or meant to be kept, secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly

The newspaper claims a leaked confidential report by the government admits to problems with corrupt MPs.

Secret

Not revealing a secret or not given to revealing secrets

"She boasted ... that he did tell her. But he didn't. He was secret as the grave" (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala).

Confidential

(dated) Inclined to share confidences; (of things) making people inclined to share confidences; involving the sharing of confidences.

Sitting in front of the fire, they became quite confidential, and began to gossip.

Secret

Operating in a hidden or confidential manner

A secret commission.

A secret agent.

Confidential

(dated) Having someone's confidence or trust; having a position requiring trust; worthy of being trusted with confidences.

A confidential agent; a confidential servant; a confidential whisper

Secret

Containing information, the unauthorized disclosure of which poses a grave threat to national security.

Confidential

Enjoying, or treated with, confidence; trusted in; trustworthy; as, a confidential servant or clerk.

Secret

Not much visited; secluded

A secret hiding place.

Confidential

Communicated in confidence; secret.

Secret

Known or shared only by the initiated

Secret rites.

Confidential

Entrusted with private information and the confidence of another;

A confidential secretary

Secret

Beyond ordinary understanding; mysterious

"like Pan, calling out with his flute to come join in on the secret chaos of the world" (Rick Bass).

Confidential

(of information) given in confidence or in secret;

Closet information

This arrangement must be kept confidential

Their secret communications

Secret

Something that is kept out of the knowledge or sight of others or is known only to oneself or a few

Wanted to have no secrets between them.

Confidential

Denoting confidence or intimacy;

A confidential approach

In confidential tone of voice

Secret

Something that remains beyond understanding or explanation; a mystery

Unlocking the secrets of the atom.

Confidential

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

Secret

A method or formula for doing or making something well, especially when not widely known

The secret of this dish is in the sauce.

Secret

Secret A variable prayer said after the Offertory and before the Preface in the Mass.

Secret

(countable) A piece of knowledge that is hidden and intended to be kept hidden.

"Can you keep a secret?" "Yes." "So can I."

Secret

The key or principle by which something is made clear; the knack.

The secret to a long-lasting marriage is compromise.

Secret

Something not understood or known.

Secret

(uncountable) Private seclusion.

The work was done in secret, so that nobody could object.

Secret

The genital organs.

Secret

(historical) A form of steel skullcap.

Secret

Any prayer spoken inaudibly and not aloud; especially, one of the prayers in the Mass, immediately following the "orate, fratres", said inaudibly by the celebrant.

Secret

Being or kept hidden.

We went down a secret passage.

Secret

(obsolete) Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.

Secret

(obsolete) Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive, separate, apart.

Secret

(obsolete) Separate; distinct.

Secret

(transitive) To make or keep secret.

Secret

(transitive) To hide secretly.

He was so scared for his safety he secreted arms around the house.

Secret

Hidden; concealed; as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret vow.

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us.

Secret

Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.

There, secret in her sapphire cell,He with the Naïs wont to dwell.

Secret

Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive.

Secret Romans, that have spoke the word,And will not palter.

Secret

Separate; distinct.

They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which were perfectly secret from matter.

Secret

Something studiously concealed; a thing kept from general knowledge; what is not revealed, or not to be revealed.

To tell our own secrets is often folly; to communicate those of others is treachery.

Secret

A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery.

All secrets of the deep, all nature's works.

Secret

The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed; the genital organs.

Bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Secret

To keep secret.

Secret

Something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on);

The combination to the safe was a secret

He tried to keep his drinking a secret

Secret

Information known only to a special group;

The secret of Cajun cooking

Secret

Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained;

How it got out is a mystery

It remains one of nature's secrets

Secret

Not open or public; kept private or not revealed;

A secret formula

Secret ingredients

Secret talks

Secret

Conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods;

Clandestine intelligence operations

Cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines

Hole-and-corner intrigue

Secret missions

A secret agent

Secret sales of arms

Surreptitious mobilization of troops

An undercover investigation

Underground resistance

Secret

Not openly made known;

A secret marriage

A secret bride

Secret

Communicated covertly;

Their a secret signal was a wink

Secret messages

Secret

Not expressed;

Secret (or private) thoughts

Secret

Designed to elude detection;

A hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole

A secret passage

The secret compartment in the desk

Secret

Hidden from general view or use;

A privy place to rest and think

A secluded romantic spot

A secret garden

Secret

(of information) given in confidence or in secret;

Closet information

This arrangement must be kept confidential

Their secret communications

Secret

Indulging only covertly;

A closet alcoholic

Closet liberals

Secret

Having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding;

Mysterious symbols

The mystical style of Blake

Occult lore

The secret learning of the ancients

Secret

The next to highest level of official classification for documents

Common Curiosities

Is all confidential information secret?

Not all confidential information is secret; some might be disclosed through proper channels if necessary.

How are confidential documents handled?

Confidential documents are handled with care, shared only with authorized individuals, and often secured physically or digitally.

Can a secret become public knowledge?

Secrets can become public if the holder decides to reveal them, but they're typically intended to remain undisclosed.

Can businesses have secrets?

Yes, businesses can have secrets, such as proprietary processes or strategic plans, intended to be kept from competitors.

What is the role of trust in keeping a secret?

Trust is crucial in keeping a secret, as it relies on individuals' discretion without necessarily involving formal agreements.

Are there ethical considerations in keeping secrets?

Yes, ethical considerations arise in keeping secrets, especially if the information withheld could harm others or is unjustly concealed.

What happens if a secret is unintentionally revealed?

Unintentional revelation of a secret can still damage relationships or trust, depending on the secret's nature and impact.

Is it possible to keep something both confidential and secret?

Yes, information can be both confidential and secret, restricted to a select few and intended to be kept hidden indefinitely.

How do cultures view the concept of secrets and confidentiality?

Cultural perceptions of secrets and confidentiality can vary, influencing how information is shared and protected.

What makes information confidential?

Information is deemed confidential if it's sensitive and restricted to certain people or groups, often protected by legal agreements.

Can a secret be legally protected?

While secrets can be protected by trust, they may not always involve formal legal agreements like NDAs.

What are the consequences of leaking confidential information?

Leaking confidential information can lead to legal consequences, such as lawsuits or penalties.

Can a confidentiality agreement cover personal secrets?

Confidentiality agreements typically cover professional or organizational information, not personal secrets.

How is a secret different from personal privacy?

A secret is specific information intended to be kept hidden, while personal privacy involves broader aspects of an individual's life and information.

What technological measures protect confidential information?

Technological measures like encryption, access controls, and secure communication channels protect confidential information.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

Co-written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.