verb

secrete

sih-KREET

verb

Of a gland, cell, or plant, to produce and release a substance.

"The pancreas secretes insulin to regulate blood sugar."

"Some frogs secrete a toxin through their skin."

To hide something in a safe or concealed place.

"He secreted the documents in a hidden drawer."

How to Use Secrete

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a body producing and releasing a substance (like sweat or hormones), or hiding something away.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "secret" (the adjective/noun) — "secrete" is a verb about producing a substance or hiding something.

Easily confused with

secret →

Common pairings

secrete hormones secrete a fluid

secreted past tense, secreted past tense, secretes singular, secretes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The pancreas _____ insulin to regulate blood sugar.

First recorded in 1678, from Latin "sēcrētus" ("separated, hidden").

fete mete Pete Crete delete athlete compete machete concrete complete obsolete discrete