secrete

/sɪˈkriːt/ (bre, ipa) · /sɪˈkriːt/ (ame, ipa) · /si-ˈkrēt/ (ame, mw)

secrete — verb

  • secretepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • secreteshe / she / it
  • secretedpast simple
  • secreting-ing form

1. to make a fluid inside a living cell, gland, or organ and then give it off so th

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make a fluid inside a living cell, gland, or organ and then give it off so that it can perform a specific task in the body — for instance, the pancreas secretes insulin to manage blood sugar, and sweat glands secrete perspiration to cool the skin.

例句

The pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

secrete + hormone as object

Sari's sweat glands secrete a salty liquid that cools her skin as she runs.

sweat glands as subject + bodily fluid object

同義詞
  • release

    more general, not limited to biological contexts

  • produce

    focuses on creation of the substance rather than its release

  • excrete

    specifically elimination of waste — different purpose from 'secrete'

反義詞
  • absorb

    to take in rather than release a substance

  • consume

    to use up rather than give off

文法句型

secrete + noun (substance)

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively in biology and medicine. The subject is typically a gland, cell, organ, or the organism itself. The object names the substance produced (a hormone, enzyme, mucus, sweat, etc.).

常見錯誤

❌The kidneys secrete urine into the bladder.
✅The kidneys excrete urine into the bladder.
💡'secrete' means release for a useful function; 'excrete' means eliminate as waste.
❌The plant secrets a sticky liquid.
✅The plant secretes a sticky liquid.
💡'secrets' is not a verb; the correct verb form is 'secretes'.

2. to place an object somewhere out of sight so that other people are unlikely to f

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to place an object somewhere out of sight so that other people are unlikely to find it — for example, secreting a spare key under a loose floorboard, or secreting a love letter inside a book.

例句

Before the exam, Omar secreted a small cheat sheet inside his pencil case.

secrete + object + preposition (inside)

The spy had secreted the microfilm in a hollowed-out book on the shelf.

past perfect: had secreted + complex location

同義詞
  • hide

    general term; far more common in everyday language

  • conceal

    emphasises keeping something out of sight; similar register

  • stash

    informal; suggests storing for later use

反義詞
  • reveal

    to make something known or visible

  • expose

    to uncover or leave unprotected

  • display

    to show openly

文法句型

secrete + noun + preposition (in/under/behind/inside)

用法筆記

This sense is literary or formal. In everyday speech, 'hide' or 'stash' are far more common. The object hidden is usually small enough to be placed discreetly. Frequently used with a following prepositional phrase specifying the location.

常見錯誤

❌She secret the letter in a drawer.
✅She secreted the letter in a drawer.
💡'secret' is an adjective or noun; the verb form is 'secrete' (pronounced /sɪˈkriːt/, not /ˈsiːkrət/).
❌He secreted away from the crowd.
✅He concealed himself from the crowd.
💡'secrete' is transitive; you must secrete something, not yourself.