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confidentially

confidentially

10 4.4
In a private way so no one else knows
  • adverb
  • /ˌkɒnfɪˈdɛnʃəli/
translation icon : de forma confidencial
  • Both parties were assured that all information would be treated confidentially and all ratings would remain anonymous.
  • treat the matter confidentially
  • report submitted confidentially

And when it was the case that women could confidentially report their, their ambitions, they would do so honestly.

Examples

  • I'm going to tell you something confidentially... which won't be mentioned again.

  • Often, students will be more comfortable sharing personal fears confidentially rather than in whole-group instruction.

    Academic text (2013)
  • But if you send a text, it is up to you to make sure it can be confidentially received.

    Academic text (2012)
  • But confidentially, I think the sheriff was on to something.

  • I say this... confidentially, because I respect you professionally.

  • Confidentially, he has no more than a month or two left.

  • Student-athletes, individually and confidentially, completed one questionnaire for each sport played during one school year.

    Academic text (1991)
  • To avoid any biases, those students were confidentially identified by the school principal and class teachers before randomization.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Can you give me your solemn oath, as a foreigner, that if the answer has nothing to do with the murder, you'll treat it confidentially?

  • I will never tell you anything that I discussed confidentially with a client.

Synonyms

secretly
vsconfidentially
261 1.4

In a way that other people do not know

focuses on privacy and intention to avoid sharing details
privately
vsconfidentially
174 3.2

In a way not shared with other people

stresses secrecy as a personal choice to not share information
behind closed doors
vsconfidentially
  • Literature
112 4.1

In private and not open to the public

emphasizes personal secrecy about information rather than event location
in secret
vsconfidentially
56 2.5

In a way other people do not know

is private intent to keep information from being shared
on the Q.T.
vsconfidentially
  • Informal
40 9.9

In secret so other people do not know

is the deliberate private handling of information rather than public
behind-the-scenes
vsconfidentially
33 4.3

Happening in private and away from public view

focuses on personal privacy and refusal to share information publicly
covertly
vsconfidentially
17 6.9

In a secret way so other people do not know

is private handling of information for personal confidentiality, not strategy
clandestinely
vsconfidentially
  • Formal
4 8.0

In a secret way to avoid being seen or found

is privacy with intent to keep information private, not evading notice
on the QT
vsconfidentially
  • Informal
2 9.5

In secret and not in public

is the intentional private handling of information, not publicized
secretively
vsconfidentially
1 6.1

In a quiet way that hides what you do or think

is about chosen privacy rather than a general secretive habit
privily
vsconfidentially
  • Archaic
1 9.9

In a secret way so no one knows

is the everyday idea of keeping something private rather than archaic
under the rose
vsconfidentially
  • Literature
9.5

In secret so only a few people know

means private handling of information without the idiomatic tone
under someone's hat
vsconfidentially
  • Informal
8.9

Kept secret and not told to other people

is the formal notion of keeping information private rather than casual

Antonyms

575 1.2

In a way that everyone can see or know

How Confidential

covertly
17 6.9
secretly
261 1.4
confidentially
10 4.4
privately
174 3.2
openly
303 1.6

Surface Forms

confidentially positive

Morphology

confidentially = confidential (transparent) = confidential + ly

Formed by the adjective 'confidential' plus the productive adverbial suffix '-ly', giving a straightforward manner meaning.

Etymology

Confidentially comes from parts that mean 'with' (con-) and 'trust' (fid), and you can see the same idea in confide and faith. So, to speak or act confidentially is to do it in a way that is 'trusted' and kept private.