Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » surreptitious

surreptitious

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of surreptitious is something that is done in secret or that is kept quiet.

(adjective)

An example of surreptitious behavior is sneaking cookies before dinner after you were told not to snack between meals.

See surreptitious in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

done, gotten, made, etc. in a secret, stealthy way; clandestine
acting in a secret, stealthy way

Origin: ME surrepticious < L surrepticius < surreptus, pp. of surripere, to take away secretly < sub- (see sub-) + rapere, to seize (see rape)

Related Forms:

surreptitiously adverb
surreptitiousness noun

See surreptitious in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Obtained, done, or made by clandestine or stealthy means.
Acting with or marked by stealth. See Synonyms at secret.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin surreptīcius

Origin: , from surreptus

Origin: , past participle of surripere, to take away secretly

Origin: : sub-, secretly; see sub-

Origin: + rapere, to seize; see rep- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

surˌrep·tiˈtious·ly adverb

surˌrep·tiˈtious·ness noun

Learn more about surreptitious

surreptitious synonyms

surreptitious in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD