confidential

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "confidential" is correctly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to information that should be kept secret or shared in a private setting due to its sensitive nature. For example: "The documents contained confidential financial information and were only to be seen by authorised personnel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just before Easter, News Corp Australia reached a confidential settlement with the human rights lawyer George Newhouse over an allegedly defamatory article by its star columnist and host of Ten's The Bolt Report, Andrew Bolt.

The Guardian

In his confidential document on 16 March, Alexander wrote that it "would make it all but impossible for a coalition to be sustainable if it were formed, and extremely difficult to form without splitting the party".

The Guardian

"Apparently, organised criminal gangs have been stealing confidential personal information on an industrial scale, from many different employers.

The Guardian

He was suspended from his post in March – on the order of the High Commissioner for Human Rights – and put under internal investigation for leaking a confidential UN document.

The Guardian

Exhibit A in the publicly available complaint is the previously confidential 34-page report written by Horowitz, a document that includes his rationale behind the decision.

The Guardian - Sport

Threatening reporters with the Official Secrets Act was a sinister new device to get round the protection of journalists' confidential sources.

The Guardian

In a document marked "confidential" and dated 16 March, the head of the secret pre-election coalition negotiating team, Danny Alexander, wrote: "On tuition fees we should seek agreement on part-time students and leave the rest.

The Guardian

Now, I should emphasise that I am not one of those killjoys who believe that ministers and public officials working on confidential documents should be expected to slum it.

The Guardian

"The Oxbridge revolutionaries" had "battled for years to uncover the confidential documents" which did no more than "prove is that the prince is well-meaning, reasonable and polite".

The Guardian

But the information would be confidential, he says.

The Guardian

This relationship is also used to stress the importance of developing CIs (confidential informants) rather than relying on aggression and street busts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When labeling documents or information as "confidential", clearly define who is authorized to access it to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid labeling everything as "confidential", as this can diminish the perceived importance of truly sensitive information. Reserve the term for data that genuinely requires protection.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "confidential" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that the information, documents, or communications it describes are intended to be kept secret or private. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "confidential" precedes nouns like 'report', 'document', 'information', and 'sources'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "confidential" is a commonly used adjective indicating that something is meant to be kept secret. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is grammatically sound and very frequent across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When using "confidential", ensure clarity about access authorization and avoid overuse to maintain its significance. Consider alternatives like "private" or "restricted" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private

Emphasizes limited access or personal nature.

secret

Highlights concealment and restricted knowledge.

classified

Indicates an official designation of restricted access.

restricted

Focuses on limitations placed on access or distribution.

privileged

Implies exclusive access granted to certain individuals.

off the record

Describes information not intended for public release.

not for publication

Specifies that the information should not be made public.

in confidence

Highlights the trust placed in the recipient to keep the information secret.

unrevealed

Refers to information that has not yet been disclosed.

undisclosed

Indicates information that is intentionally not revealed.

FAQs

How can I use "confidential" in a sentence?

You can use "confidential" to describe information that should be kept secret, as in "The report contains "sensitive data" considered "confidential".".

What's the difference between "confidential" and "secret"?

"Confidential" typically implies that information is shared within a limited circle, while "secret" suggests it's hidden from everyone.

What can I say instead of "confidential"?

Alternatives include "private", "restricted", or "privileged", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "strictly confidential"?

While "confidential" already implies a need for secrecy, "strictly confidential" can be used for emphasis when dealing with particularly sensitive information.