German word

heimlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaɪ̯mlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbsecretly

Example

Er hat es heimlich gemacht.

He did it secretly.

Illustration for heimlich (secretly)

More examples

Er lächelte heimlich, als er die Nachricht las.

He smiled furtively as he read the message.

Core concept

Someone slips away to do something unnoticed while the surrounding activity continues normally.

Common phrases

  • etwas heimlich behalten

    keep something secret

  • heimlich lächeln

    smile furtively

  • Informationen heimlich weitergeben

    pass on information secretly

Similar words

im Geheimen: Without other people knowing about the matter.
diskret: In a restrained, unobtrusive manner that avoids unwanted attention.
still: In a quiet manner that avoids noise or other noticeable signs.

Definition in German

auf verdeckte Weise, so dass etwas nicht öffentlich oder bekannt wird.

Word origin

Heimlich combines the noun Heim 'home' with the adjective-forming suffix -lich and developed from 'private' to 'secret'.

Usage tips

  • As an adverb, heimlich has no inflection; adjective forms such as heimliche and heimlichem show case and gender endings.

Other meanings

  • secretadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Heimlichkeitsecrecynoun
  • verheimlichenconcealverb

Word lists with this word