Dictionary
heimlich
German → American English
American English
secretly
Auf eine verborgene, unbemerkte oder nicht offen sichtbare Weise; heimlich, geheim.
Sie hat ihn heimlich angerufen.Use heimlich for actions done without others noticing; it can sound neutral or slightly negative, so for positive privacy contexts, carefully choose a softer word like diskret.
Related words
Explore nearby vocabulary picked for learners studying this word.
Frequently asked questions
What does „heimlich“ mean in English?
It means “secretly” or “in secret.”
Is „heimlich“ the same as „geheim“?
They are related, but „heimlich“ usually describes something done secretly, while „geheim“ often means secret, hidden, or confidential.
How do you use „heimlich“ in a sentence?
You can use it as an adverb, for example: „Er hat heimlich gelacht.“ = “He laughed secretly / quietly to himself.”