Spanish word

oculto

Pronunciation

IPA/oˈkulto/

Meaning

  • adjectivehidden

Example

La entrada está oculta detrás del edificio.

The entrance is hidden behind the building.

Illustration for oculto (hidden)

More examples

La información se mantuvo oculta durante años.

The information was kept hidden for years.

Core concept

A motive kept out of public view behind a smile.

Common phrases

  • estar oculto

    be hidden

  • lugar oculto

    hidden place

  • mantener oculto

    keep hidden

Similar words

escondido: Physically concealed so people cannot see or find it.
secreto: Known only to a few and not disclosed publicly.
encubierto: Covered or disguised to conceal purpose, identity, or evidence.

Definition in Spanish

Que permanece fuera de la vista o del conocimiento público; suele referirse a algo mantenido en secreto.

Word origin

Spanish 'oculto' derives from Latin occultus, the past participle of occulere (ob- 'away' + celare 'to hide'), originally meaning 'hidden' or 'covered'.

Usage tips

  • Used mainly for things kept secret or unknown to others (intención oculta, motivo oculto, agenda oculta), while objects hidden in plain sight more commonly take 'escondido'.

Other meanings

  • secretadjective

Opposites

  • visiblevisibleadjective
  • manifiestoobviousadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word