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). It first meant 'belonging to the house, private', and later evolved to mean 'secret'.
Memory Tips
Picture doing something 'at home' (Heim) where you are hidden from view – that's 'heimlich' (secret). Don't mix it up with 'unheimlich' (eerie, creepy).