conceal

[ kuhn-seel ]

verb (used with object)

1. to hide; withdraw or remove from observation; cover or keep from sight:

   He concealed the gun under his coat.

2. to keep secret; to prevent or avoid disclosing or divulging:

   to conceal one's identity by using a false name.

conceal

/ kənˈsiːl /

verb

1. to keep from discovery; hide
2. to keep secret

Derived Forms

• conˈcealment, noun
• conˈcealable, adjective
• conˈcealer, noun

Other Words From

• con·ceala·ble adjective
• con·ceala·bili·ty noun
• con·cealed·ly adverb
• con·cealed·ness noun
• con·cealer noun
• half-con·cealed adjective
• half-con·cealing adjective
• precon·ceal verb (used with object)
• recon·ceal verb (used with object)
• semi·con·cealed adjective
• subcon·cealed adjective
• uncon·cealed adjective
• uncon·cealing adjective
• uncon·cealing·ly adverb
• well-con·cealed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conceal¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English conselen, concelen, from Anglo-French conceler from Latin concēlāre, from con- con- + cēlāre “to hide” ( hull ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of conceal¹

C14: from Old French conceler, from Latin concēlāre, from com- (intensive) + cēlāre to hide

Synonym Study

See hide ¹.

Example Sentences

Traffickers also attempt to conceal e-waste by grinding it down and blending it with other forms of plastic that can be exported with the correct paperwork, he said.

From BBC

This is despite the discovery of evidence that he tried to conceal more than £1.7m of illegal sales.

From BBC

The lawsuit complaint alleges that, after the leak became public knowledge in 2020, the utility deliberately delayed measuring methane levels to conceal the extent of the problem.

From Los Angeles Times

Anti-personnel landmines are explosives which are often concealed on the ground and designed to detonate when people step over or near them.

From BBC

Timing the explosion to coincide with traffic to conceal the noise, they managed to break through.

From BBC

Related Words

• bury
• camouflage
• cloak
• cover
• cover up
• disguise
• harbor
• hide
• lurk
• mask
• obscure
• stash
• stow
• wrap