A secret is information that you deliberately keep hidden from others. When you know a secret, you have knowledge that most people don't have, and you've usually promised not to share it. Your best friend might tell you a secret about their surprise birthday party plans, or you might keep your diary's hiding place a secret from your siblings.

Secrets come in many forms. Some are exciting and harmless, like knowing what present your parents bought for your sister. Others are important for safety, like keeping your house's alarm code secret from strangers. Governments keep military secrets to protect their countries. Companies keep their recipes or designs secret so competitors can't copy them.

The word secret can also describe something hidden or concealed, like a secret passage behind a bookshelf or a secret door in an old mansion. A secret agent works undercover, keeping their true identity hidden.

Keeping some secrets can show loyalty and trustworthiness, but carrying too many secrets can feel like a heavy burden. And some secrets, especially ones about someone being hurt or in danger, should not be kept. Knowing when to keep a secret and when to tell a trusted adult is an important part of growing up.