Confidentially

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Carried out in a manner that safeguards private matters and prevents unauthorized disclosure
2. Done in a way that keeps information private and shared only with the intended recipient
3. Acting so that sensitive details are not revealed to unintended parties

Etymology: "Confidentially" is an adverb built from the adjective "confidential" plus the English suffix "-ly", which turns an adjective into an adverb of manner. The adjective itself is the more interesting part. It descends from Latin "confidere", a compound of "con-" (together, thoroughly) and "fidere" (to trust), so at its root sits the same idea of trust that gives English "faith" and "fidelity" their sense. Latin "confidentia" meant assurance or boldness, and the adjective "confidential" was formed in French as "confidentiel" before English borrowed it. The English adjective was then formed on that French model, and "confidentially" followed by adding the suffix to it. The sense of secrecy, of being entrusted with something private, developed from the earlier sense of trust placed in someone. To do something confidentially is to do it in a manner that relies on that trust.

Synonyms: secretly, privately, discreetly, intimately, internally

Antonyms: publicly, openly, blatantly, transparently, overtly