MEANING
Carried out secretly, especially to avoid detection because it is forbidden or unauthorized.
Use it for
Hidden relationships, prohibited contact, concealed actions under authority.Make secrecy an intentional practice rather than an atmospheric impression.
Words that belong together
- clandestine meeting
- clandestine correspondence
- clandestine operation
On the page
They arranged a clandestine meeting in the unused chapel.
Clandestine correspondence continued after the household forbade all visitors.
The inquiry exposed a clandestine sale of family papers.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- clandestine
Usage notes
Primary category: gothic. Implies deliberate concealment and often illicit purpose; merely private activities are not necessarily clandestine. Usually graded with more or most if needed; derived adverb clandestinely.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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