Secretive means deliberately keeping things hidden or private, often more than necessary. A secretive person guards their thoughts, plans, or activities closely, sharing little even with friends or family.

When your classmate acts secretive about a surprise party, that's appropriate. But if someone becomes secretive about everyday things like where they're going after school or what they're working on, it can make others feel shut out or suspicious. There's a difference between valuing privacy (which everyone deserves) and being secretive, which suggests hiding things that don't really need hiding.

Organizations can be secretive too. A secretive government agency might operate behind closed doors. A company developing a new invention might work in secrecy to protect its ideas from competitors.

The word carries a slightly negative feeling. We don't usually admire secretiveness the way we might admire discretion or tact. When someone acts secretive, others may wonder what they're hiding and why. Being secretive can damage trust, since people naturally feel more comfortable around those who are open and straightforward. Sometimes the secretiveness itself causes more problems than whatever is being hidden would have caused in the first place.