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classified

classified

1 7.4
Kept secret and shown only to people with permission
  • adjective
  • /ˈklæsɪfaɪd/
  • Formal
translation icon : clasificado
  • Only authorized personnel have access to the classified materials in that facility.

When it comes to classified secrets, there's two kinds.

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Examples

  • So there is absolutely nothing in there that could be considered classified or sensitive content.

  • We do things that are classified for a reason.

  • It's schedules, things that are highly classified at the time.

  • And it is so profoundly classified and not a lot of people know about it.

  • When it comes to classified secrets, there's two kinds.

  • The government keeps classified documents secure to protect national security.

  • She was shocked to learn about the classified information hidden from the public.

Synonyms

secret
vsclassified
  • Formal
529 4.7

Official information kept from most people for security

is the general official label for restricted materials at any security level
confidential
vsclassified
205 5.3

Not shared with others because it should be secret

is an official designation carrying formal restrictions beyond simple privacy
top-secret
vsclassified
  • Formal
65 5.9

Information that only a very small number of people are allowed to know

is the broader official term covering different security levels not only the highest
top secret
vsclassified
  • Formal
55 4.2

Information that the government keeps private for security reasons

is a broader official designation not limited to the highest secrecy

Antonyms

1.0

Open or available to everyone, not private

579 1.0

Not decided and still possible to change

unclassified
  • Formal
11 4.2

Not secret and available to the public

Compounds

A short notice in a newspaper or magazine where people sell items and offer services

A small notice in a newspaper section that offers things or jobs

classified stock
  • Specialized
7.9

Shares divided into classes with different voting rights

How Secret

top secret
  • Formal
55 4.2
classified
  • Formal
1 7.4
confidential
205 5.3
restricted
18 3.9
unclassified
  • Formal
11 4.2

Surface Forms

classified positive

Morphology

classified = classify (semi-transparent) = class + ify + ed

Formally derived from 'classify' but the bureaucratic sense 'officially secret' is a specialized institutional extension not immediately deducible from 'class'.

Etymology

Classified also comes from class meaning a 'group', because officials put papers into classes to show how they must be kept safe. That's why classified means officially 'secret' or restricted.