Confidential
adjective
Definition
1. (adjective) Meant to be kept secret and not shared with anyone who isn't authorised to see it — used for documents, information, or conversations.
2. (adjective) Trusted with private or sensitive information — describing a relationship or role that involves secrecy.
2. (adjective) Trusted with private or sensitive information — describing a relationship or role that involves secrecy.
Context Alive
Your manager pulls you aside after lunch and says she needs to tell you something confidential. She closes the door and explains that two people on the team are being let go next week. She asks you not to say a word until the official announcement. You spend the rest of the afternoon trying to act normal around them.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 Meant to Be Kept Secret (Adjective) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about information, documents, or conversations that are private and should not be shared with unauthorised people. Imagine opening a work email and seeing a big red label at the top saying "CONFIDENTIAL" — that means the contents are restricted and you shouldn't forward it or discuss it with anyone outside the intended recipients. This is describing something that has been deliberately classified as private. You might say "this information is strictly confidential" to warn someone not to share it, or someone could say "the report was marked confidential" to explain why it wasn't made public. Or think about a doctor's office where your medical records are kept confidential — only the medical team treating you is allowed to see them. The word signals a clear boundary between who can and who cannot know.
✏️ Confidential is slightly stronger than "private" — it implies a deliberate decision to restrict access, often with consequences if the information leaks. Common labels: strictly confidential, private and confidential (seen on letters and envelopes). The noun form is confidentiality: "a breach of confidentiality" means someone shared secret information they shouldn't have.
2 Trusted With Private Information (Adjective) Common ▼
This meaning is about a person, role, or relationship that involves being trusted with sensitive information. Imagine a personal assistant who has access to the CEO's emails, calendar, and financial records — they hold a confidential position because the job requires them to handle private matters every day. This is describing the trust and secrecy built into a role or relationship. You might hear "she acts as a confidential adviser to the minister" to mean she gives private counsel that isn't shared publicly, or someone could say "the relationship between a lawyer and client is confidential" to explain why lawyers can't reveal what their clients tell them. Or think about a therapist — the conversations you have in that room are confidential because the relationship is built on trust. The word points to the expectation of discretion.
✏️ The phrase confidential adviser / secretary / source describes someone whose role is defined by trust and secrecy. In journalism, a confidential source is someone who provides information on the condition that their identity is never revealed — this is a fundamental principle in investigative reporting.
Common Patterns
Basic Structures
strictly / highly confidential → used to emphasise that the information must absolutely not be shared
The details of the merger are strictly confidential until the official announcement.
keep something confidential → to not share information with anyone who isn't authorised
Please keep this confidential — the decision hasn't been made public yet.
confidential + noun (information / document / report) → describing a specific item that is classified as private
She accidentally left a confidential document on the printer.
Common Structures
marked (as) confidential → labelled so that people know the contents are restricted
The file was marked confidential and stored in a locked cabinet.
on a confidential basis → shared with the understanding that it will be kept private
The information was provided on a confidential basis and cannot be published.
breach of confidentiality → the act of sharing restricted information — often with serious consequences
Leaking the patient's records would be a serious breach of confidentiality.
Collocations
10 collocationsstrictly confidential
absolutely private — must not be shared with anyone unauthorised
confidential information
data or facts that are restricted and not for public access
confidential document
a written record classified as private and restricted
keep confidential
to protect information by not sharing it with others
breach of confidentiality
sharing private information in violation of trust or rules
confidential source
a person who provides information on condition their identity is hidden
marked confidential
labelled or stamped to show that the contents are private
private and confidential
a standard label on letters and emails meaning for the recipient's eyes only
confidential adviser
a trusted person who gives private counsel or guidance
confidentiality agreement
a legal document where someone promises not to share certain information
Example Sentences
10 examples
1
All employee salary details are confidential and should not be discussed with colleagues.
How much each person earns is private information and shouldn't be shared between staff.
2
She signed a confidentiality agreement before starting the project.
She legally committed to not sharing any details about the project before work began.
3
The letter was stamped "Private and Confidential" and addressed to the director only.
The envelope was marked as restricted and intended for the director's eyes alone.
4
He told me on a confidential basis that the company was planning layoffs.
He shared privately — asking me not to repeat it — that the company was about to cut jobs.
5
Leaking confidential client data could result in legal action against the firm.
If private customer information gets out, the company could face a lawsuit.
6
The journalist refused to reveal her confidential source despite pressure from the court.
The reporter wouldn't name the person who gave her the information, even when the court demanded it.
7
Everything discussed in therapy is confidential — your therapist cannot share it without your permission.
What you say to your therapist stays between you — they're not allowed to tell anyone else unless you agree.
8
The confidential report revealed that the company had known about the defect for months.
The private document showed the company had been aware of the problem long before it became public.
9
Please treat this email as strictly confidential — it is not to be forwarded.
Do not share this email with anyone — its contents are meant only for you.
10
A breach of confidentiality this serious could cost someone their job.
Sharing restricted information at this level could easily lead to someone getting fired.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsprivate
broader and softer — private doesn't always imply formal restriction the way confidential does
classified
stronger — usually refers to government or military secrets with official security levels
restricted
focuses on limited access — often used for areas, documents, or data with controlled entry
Antonymspublic
available to everyone — the opposite of restricted or secret
open
transparent and accessible — no secrecy or restrictions involved
disclosed
already revealed or made known — the information is no longer confidential