top secret
The term "top secret" is used to denote the highest level of classified information, primarily within government and military contexts, indicating that its unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Government and Military
(technical, formal)Information classified at the highest level of sensitivity, whose unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
Example
- The mission details were classified as top secret.
- Handling top secret documents requires the highest level of security clearance.
B2General Use
(figurative, informal)Pertaining to any highly sensitive or confidential matter.
Example
- The surprise party plans are top secret, so don't tell anyone!
- She whispered the top secret recipe to her friend.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "top secret":