on a need-to-know basis

adverb

remaining secret or hidden until it is needed to be known (by a particular party).

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Meanings

adverbon a need-to-know basis (not comparable)
  1. not comparableremaining secret or hidden until it is needed to be known (by a particular party).
Cite this entry
APA

on a need-to-know basis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20a%20need-to-know%20basis

MLA

“on a need-to-know basis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20a%20need-to-know%20basis. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “on a need-to-know basis,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20a%20need-to-know%20basis.

Source: on a need-to-know basis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.