heimlich
Translation
secret, secretive, clandestine, stealthy
Examples
Sie hatten eine heimliche Beziehung.
They had a secret relationship.
Er hat heimlich das Haus verlassen.
He secretly left the house.
Grammar Patterns
a secret ((sth.)) a secret... a secret meeting
to do ((sth.)) secretly to secretly do... He secretly called her.
Similar Words
Synonyms: geheim, verborgen; Antonyms: öffentlich (public), offen (open)
Etymology
Derived from 'Heim' (home). Originally meant 'belonging to the house, private', which evolved into 'secret'.
Memory Tips
Imagine doing something 'at home' (Heim) where no one can see you – that's 'heimlich' (secret). Be careful not to confuse it with 'unheimlich' (uncanny, eerie).