Standard Lemma guide

clandestinely

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: /klænˈdɛs.tɪn.li/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: K L AE0 N D EH1 S T AH0 N L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a secret or covert manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

In an illicit way, i.e. not permitted by the law or regulations.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English clandestine Middle English -ly English -ly English clandestinely From clandestine + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

27 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: ծածուկ (cacuk) — in a secret, covert manner
  • Chinese Mandarin: 秘密地 (mìmì de) — in a secret, covert manner
  • Chinese Mandarin: 暗中 (ànzhōng) — in a secret, covert manner
  • Danish: hemmelighedsfuld — in a secret, covert manner
  • Danish: hemmelig — in a secret, covert manner
  • Dutch: clandestien — in a secret, covert manner
  • Dutch: heimelijk — in a secret, covert manner
  • Dutch: stiekem — in a secret, covert manner
  • Finnish: vaivihkaa — in a secret, covert manner
  • Finnish: salaa — in a secret, covert manner
  • French: clandestinement — in a secret, covert manner
  • German: heimlich — in a secret, covert manner
  • German: verdeckt — in a secret, covert manner
  • Italian: clandestinamente — in a secret, covert manner
  • Polish: tajnie — in a secret, covert manner
  • Polish: sekretnie — in a secret, covert manner
  • Russian: скры́тно (skrýtno) — in a secret, covert manner
  • Russian: исподтишка́ (ispodtišká) — in a secret, covert manner
  • Sanskrit: सनुतर् (sanutar) — in a secret, covert manner
  • Spanish: furtivamente — in a secret, covert manner
  • Spanish: a hurtadillas — in a secret, covert manner
  • Danish: ureglementeret — in an illicit way
  • Dutch: clandestien — in an illicit way
  • Dutch: onwettig — in an illicit way
  • Dutch: ongeoorloofd — in an illicit way
  • Finnish: laittomasti — in an illicit way
  • Finnish: lainvastaisesti — in an illicit way