Surreptitiously
/ˌsʌrəpˈtɪʃəsli/
adverbC2adverb form
Definition
Surreptitiously describes an action done in a hidden or secret way, often because the person does not want to be seen or caught. It means doing something quietly and carefully without drawing attention.
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See It in Action
Doing something secretly to avoid notice or attention
- •She surreptitiously checked her phone during the meeting.
- •The cat surreptitiously slipped out of the room without anyone seeing.
- •He surreptitiously took a photo when the celebrity wasn’t looking.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "surreptitiously" like "secretly" (A2 word), but with more care and quietness to avoid being noticed
- ✓Picture someone slowly and quietly opening a door at night without making noise or light
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want to do something without anyone knowing, like sneaking a small snack without parents seeing
- ✓Sounds like "sir-rep-TISH-us-lee" → imagine a "sir" quietly tiptoeing like a spy on a secret mission
- ✓Think of spies or detectives in movies who move quietly and watch without being seen
- ✓NOT like "loudly" (makes noise), surreptitiously means very quiet and careful
- ✓NOT like "openly" (everyone sees), surreptitiously means hidden or secret
- ✓NOT like "accidentally" (by chance), surreptitiously means on purpose but quietly and secretly
Try Other Words
- •Secretly: doing something without others knowing (Use when the quiet or careful part is less important)
- •Stealthily: moving or doing something quietly and carefully (Use when emphasizing quiet movement like a cat or spy)
- •Covertly: done in a hidden or secret way (Use in formal or serious contexts, like secret missions or spying)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "sur-" (under, secretly) + root "rept" from Latin "reptare" meaning "to creep" + suffix "-itious" (adjective) + "-ly" (adverb)
- •Etymology: From Latin "surrepticius," meaning "stolen or taken secretly," from "sub-" (under) + "rapere" (to seize)
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe something done by stealth or theft, later expanded to any secret or hidden action
- •Modern usage: Used to describe actions done quietly and secretly, often to avoid being noticed or caught
Reflect & Connect
•When might it be important to act surreptitiously in daily life? Can it ever be wrong to do so?
•How does acting surreptitiously change the way people trust or feel about each other?
Fill in the blanks
1.She surreptitiously ___ her phone under the table so the teacher would not see.
2.People act surreptitiously when they want to avoid ___ or attention.
3.Unlike being open and honest, surreptitiously means doing something ___ and quietly.
4.The spy moved surreptitiously ___ the enemy’s camp to gather information.
5.He surreptitiously glanced at the answers during the test, trying not to ___ caught.
6.Surreptitiously is often used with verbs like "slip," "take," or "watch" because these actions need to be ___.
7.If someone acts surreptitiously, we can guess they want to keep their actions ___ from others.