secret pleasures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secret pleasures" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe hidden or private joys that someone enjoys but may not openly share with others. For example, "Reading romance novels in the quiet of the night is one of her secret pleasures." Alternative expressions include "hidden delights," "private joys," and "covert indulgences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Such connections are among the secret pleasures of biography.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes it offers secret pleasures of recognition to those readers who might have been through the same seminars and known the same professional absurdities as the author herself.

The Guardian - Books

Stacks is my attempt to make these secret pleasures public, and to warn you of looming releases, just in case your time on the Internet has left you hungry for extra fresh information about extra new content.

The New Yorker

To Walser, Berlin's architecture "errs perhaps on the side of the drastic" and theater should be "shameless," since "it must after all be reckoned among the secret pleasures of a theatergoer to be permitted to find sufficient grounds to blush".

The New York Times - Books

I had once read a newspaper column by a well-known writer describing the secret pleasures of sitting in the schoolyard after school watching the kids and catching up on gossip with the other moms and occasional dads.

The New York Times

One of Montrachet's secret pleasures is its lunch on Friday (the only day it is served); just right for sneaking away from the workaday world and not going back.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They're my secret pleasure.

Independent

It's my secret pleasure.

The New York Times - Arts

Another secret pleasure is the city's gloriously underpopulated art galleries.

Independent

Marina's secret pleasure was to read these pieces of Pravda the next day.

The New Yorker

It is the secret pleasure of hearing about aging parents that are even more impossible than yours".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secret pleasures" to add depth to character descriptions, revealing hidden aspects of their personality and motivations.

Common error

Avoid using "secret pleasures" when describing activities that are simply personal preferences without any element of secrecy or potential shame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secret pleasures" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes hidden sources of enjoyment or satisfaction, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples relating to reading, food, or personal habits.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secret pleasures" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe hidden or private sources of enjoyment. Ludwig's analysis reveals it functions to reveal and acknowledge those inner satisfactions, often in contexts where the reason for secrecy might be explored. While it can occasionally carry a connotation of guilt, more often it simply implies privacy. As Ludwig AI also confirms, it's most frequently encountered in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hidden delights

Emphasizes the delight aspect, suggesting a more innocent or whimsical pleasure.

unspoken delights

Similar to "hidden delights", but emphasizes that the delights are unacknowledged or not openly discussed.

private indulgences

Focuses on the aspect of self-gratification and personal enjoyment, often implying a sense of luxury or excess.

covert enjoyments

Highlights the secrecy and discretion involved in experiencing these pleasures.

clandestine enjoyments

Emphasizes the clandestine and possibly illicit nature of the enjoyments.

guilty pleasures

Adds a dimension of guilt or shame to the enjoyment, suggesting the pleasure is somewhat taboo or frowned upon.

furtive pleasures

Highlights the secretive and sometimes shameful aspect of the pleasures.

personal joys

A more general term for things that bring personal happiness, without necessarily implying secrecy.

inner satisfactions

Emphasizes the internal and emotional fulfillment derived from the pleasure.

quiet amusements

Suggests a more subdued and understated form of pleasure, often enjoyed in solitude.

FAQs

How can I use "secret pleasures" in a sentence?

You can use "secret pleasures" to describe hidden sources of joy or indulgence. For example, "Reading classic novels is one of her "secret pleasures".".

What's a less suggestive way to express "secret pleasures"?

Consider using "hidden delights" or "private joys". These alternatives lack the implication of guilt or shame that can sometimes be associated with "secret pleasures".

Are "guilty pleasures" and "secret pleasures" the same?

"Guilty pleasures" and "secret pleasures" are similar, but "guilty pleasures" imply a sense of shame or wrongdoing, while "secret pleasures" simply suggest that the pleasure is kept private.

Which is correct, "secret pleasure" or "secret pleasures"?

While "secret pleasure" can be used to refer to a single, specific source of enjoyment, "secret pleasures" is typically used to describe a collection or category of private and enjoyable activities. The choice depends on the context.