confidential
confidential — adjective
1. kept hidden from people who are not officially allowed to see or hear it, especi
kept hidden from people who are not officially allowed to see or hear it, especially in a work or official setting.
Chidi signed a contract agreeing to keep all client information confidential.
collocation: keep + noun + confidential
The lawyer sent the documents in a confidential envelope marked "Private."
attributive use: confidential envelope
Wei was told that the conversation was strictly confidential and must not be repeated.
All medical records are confidential and cannot be shared without the patient's written permission.
The committee held a confidential meeting to discuss the staff complaints about the new policy.
- private
broader term — private information need not involve a formal agreement of secrecy
- classified
more specific — used for official government secrets
- restricted
emphasises limited access rather than secrecy
文法句型
confidential + noun
be + confidential
用法筆記
Often used in formal contexts such as legal, medical, or corporate settings. Frequently paired with intensifiers like 'strictly' or 'highly' to emphasise the need for secrecy.
常見錯誤
2. trusted to handle sensitive information that must not be shared with others, usu
trusted to handle sensitive information that must not be shared with others, usually because of one's job or role.
As a confidential assistant to the CEO, Isabela knew about the merger before anyone else.
attributive use: confidential assistant
The ambassador's confidential secretary handled all the classified cables from the foreign ministry.
A confidential informant tipped off the police about the planned robbery three days in advance.
Emre served as the prime minister's confidential advisor on nuclear policy for six years.
The judge appointed a confidential clerk to review the sealed evidence before the trial began.
文法句型
confidential + noun (person role)
用法筆記
Typically used in job titles or role descriptions (e.g. 'confidential secretary', 'confidential agent'). The noun following 'confidential' refers to a person, not a document.
3. behaving or speaking in a quiet, private way that suggests you are sharing somet
behaving or speaking in a quiet, private way that suggests you are sharing something personal or secret with the listener.
Her voice dropped to a confidential whisper when the teacher told Yael about the scholarship.
collocation: confidential whisper
Arjun spoke in a confidential tone, as though the entire cafe might overhear their plans.
collocation: confidential tone
Lukas gave Otis a confidential look that said "We'll talk about this later."
Mauricio leaned in and said in a confidential voice, "I think someone is following us."
The two diplomats exchanged confidential glances across the crowded reception room.
文法句型
confidential + noun (voice, tone, manner)
用法筆記
This sense describes a manner or atmosphere, not the content itself. The information may or may not actually be secret — what matters is the feeling of intimacy or secrecy created.
4. officially ranked as requiring protection because unauthorised access could dama
officially ranked as requiring protection because unauthorised access could damage national security, falling between restricted and secret in the classification system.
The report was marked "Confidential" and stored in a locked cabinet in the embassy basement.
Only staff with proper clearance may view confidential files from the defence department.
collocation: confidential files
The leak of a confidential memo forced the intelligence committee to tighten its security procedures.
The officer stored the confidential brief in a safe that required two keys to open.
A confidential dossier on the foreign agent was kept under lock and key at the ministry.
- classified
broader term covering all security levels from confidential upwards
- restricted
the level below confidential in the classification system
- unclassified
information that has no security restrictions
- declassified
formerly classified but now released to the public
文法句型
confidential + noun (document, report, file)
用法筆記
Part of a fixed classification ladder used by governments: 'restricted' (lowest), 'confidential', 'secret', 'top secret' (highest). Not used as a general synonym for 'secret' in casual speech.