What does clandestine mean?
Word: Clandestine
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Clandestine means done in hiding, so that other people do not find out.
How do you spell clandestine?
Syllables: clan - des - tine
Tricky part: Pupils often stop at the n and lose the e that closes the word.
Watch out for: clandestin, clandestene
Memory tip: Picture one small e hiding quietly at the very end, as a secret should.
Clandestine in a sentence
Example 1: The cousins held a clandestine meeting behind the water tank to plan a surprise.
Example 2: My brother's clandestine midnight snacks were no secret to Mum.
Example 3: Her clandestine practice sessions paid off at the school talent show.
Fun Fact
The Latin word behind it comes from clam, meaning in secret. That clam has nothing to do with the shellfish.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is correct. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. clandestine 2. dilapedated 3. inquisative 4. rhododendrum
a) old and in very poor condition
b) kept out of everyone's sight
c) a flowering bush of the hills
d) eager to know about things
Show answer
b) kept out of everyone's sight. Only clandestine needs no correction; compare rhododendron, dilapidated and inquisitive.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word clandestine as used in the sentence:
The twins kept up a clandestine exchange of notes all through the holiday camp.
a) furtive
b) open
c) stealthy
d) hidden
Show answer
b) open. Something open is done where everyone can see it.
Mingle-Mangle
Which word do the jumbled letters in the sentence spell?
The girls arranged a idlsaetecnn visit to the kitchen to bake their mother a birthday cake.
a) destination
b) clandestine
c) candlestick
d) clementine
Show answer
b) clandestine. Eleven letters with no k, m or o can only make clandestine.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Our class kept the clandistine plans for the farewell party away from the teachers by meeting in the library during the lunch break on three afternoons.
a) library
b) afternoons
c) clandistine
d) farewell
Show answer
c) clandistine. The vowel after the d should be an e.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Pick the activity that would need to be clandestine.
a) reading the morning news aloud in class
b) hiding a gift until a friend's big day
c) putting up a notice about the sports day
d) singing the school song on the stage
Show answer
b) hiding a gift until a friend's big day
2. A writer calls a meeting clandestine. What does the writer want you to understand?
a) It lasted for a very long time
b) Everyone in town was invited
c) It took place in a large hall
d) Few people were meant to know of it
Show answer
d) Few people were meant to know of it
