clandestine
Meaning: Done secretly or kept hidden, especially because it is illicit, unauthorised, or disapproved of.
Clandestine is a more formal and literary word than 'secret,' carrying strong connotations of illegality, espionage, or forbidden activity. It is commonly associated with spy novels, covert operations, and illicit affairs. While 'covert' emphasises the hidden nature of an action, 'clandestine' emphasises the secretive intent behind it. Common collocations include 'clandestine meeting,' 'clandestine operation,' 'clandestine affair,' and 'clandestine activities.'
Examples
- The agents held a clandestine meeting in a safe house on the outskirts of the city. 特工们在城市郊区的一处安全屋内举行了秘密会议。Los agentes celebraron una reunión clandestina en un piso franco en las afueras de la ciudad.工作員たちは市の郊外にあるセーフハウスで秘密会合を開きました。공작원들은 도시 외곽의 안전 가옥에서 비밀 회합을 가졌습니다.
- The organisation ran a clandestine network that smuggled refugees across the border. 该组织运营着一个秘密网络,将难民偷渡过边境。La organización gestionaba una red clandestina que introducía refugiados de contrabando a través de la frontera.その組織は、難民を国境を越えて密かに送り出す秘密のネットワークを運営していました。그 조직은 난민을 국경 너머로 몰래 보내는 비밀 네트워크를 운영했습니다.
- Their clandestine affair was discovered when a colleague noticed them leaving the same hotel. 他们的地下恋情在一位同事注意到他们从同一家酒店离开时被发现了。Su aventura clandestina fue descubierta cuando un compañero los vio salir del mismo hotel.彼らの秘密の情事は、同僚が二人が同じホテルを出るところを目撃したことで発覚しました。그들의 비밀 정사는 동료가 두 사람이 같은 호텔을 나오는 것을 목격하면서 발각되었습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin clandestinus (secret, hidden), related to clam (secretly). Some scholars link it to celare (to hide), the root of 'conceal.' It entered English in the mid-16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free