1
confidentially, [clause]
此用法放在句首作评注性状语，表示‘只能私下告诉你’，相当于 between you and me。
Confidentially, I think the project will fail.
私下说，我觉得这个项目会失败。
秘密地；私下地；机密地
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
秘密地；私下地；机密地
in a confidential manner; secretly or privately
Confidentially, I think the project will fail.
私下说，我觉得这个项目会失败。
机密地
In a confidential manner.
以保密的方式
in a confidential manner
She told me confidentially that the company is planning to merge.
她私下告诉我，公司正在计划合并。
AI contextual example
The results were handled confidentially and shared only with the research team.
这些结果被秘密处理，只与研究团队分享。
AI contextual example
Please discuss the matter confidentially with your supervisor before making a decision.
请在做决定之前与你的主管私下讨论此事。
AI contextual example
spoke to him intimately and confidentially
亲密而机密地与他交谈。
WordNet
此用法放在句首作评注性状语，表示‘只能私下告诉你’，相当于 between you and me。
Confidentially, I think the project will fail.
私下说，我觉得这个项目会失败。
confidentially 作方式状语修饰 speak，强调谈话内容属于秘密，不能公开。
She spoke confidentially with her advisor.
她与导师私下进行了交谈。
常用被动语态，表示信息、资料等以机密方式处理，多用于正式或书面场合。
Any personal data you send will be treated confidentially.
你发送的任何个人数据都将被保密处理。
Not this
She confidently told me her secret.
Use this
She confidentially told me her secret.
confidentially 是副词，意为“秘密地；私下地”，而 confidently 意为“自信地”。两者拼写相似，但表达“私下告知秘密”时必须用 confidentially。
Not this
He spoke confidential about the matter.
Use this
He spoke confidentially about the matter.
修饰动词 spoke 需要用副词 confidentially，而不是形容词 confidential。形容词应修饰名词，如 a confidential report。
Not this
We discussed the matter in confidentially.
Use this
We discussed the matter confidentially.
表达“秘密地”可用副词 confidentially 或短语 in confidence，但不能把两者混用成 in confidentially。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
私下说；秘密地说
Can we speak confidentially?
我们能私下谈谈吗？
私下告诉某人
He told me confidentially that he planned to resign.
他私下告诉我他打算辞职。
秘密地分享信息
The consultant shared the report confidentially with the board.
顾问私下与董事会分享了这份报告。
私下说；秘密地说
Confidentially speaking, I think the plan is flawed.
私下说，我觉得这个计划有缺陷。
机密处理；保密处理
All patient records must be handled confidentially.
所有患者记录都必须保密处理。
Use confidentially naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想 confide（吐露秘密）：confidentially 就是把秘密只对信任的人悄悄说，即秘密地、私下地。
语域：formal 常见场景：legal documents、official letters、formal speech confidentially 常用于正式场合，表示“秘密地、私下地”，多出现在法律、商务或正式讲话中。日常口语中较少用，更常说 in private 或 off the record。
真正押韵的是重音在 /ɛ/、以 /nʃəli/ 结尾的词，如 essentially、potentially。注意 confidential /ˌkɑnfɪˈdɛnʃəl/ 缺少词尾 /li/，confidently /ˈkɑnfɪdəntli/ 重音在开头且元音不同，二者与 confidentially 拼写相近但不押韵。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.