conceal
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to hide; withdraw or remove from observation; cover or keep from sight.
He concealed the gun under his coat.
-
to keep secret; to prevent or avoid disclosing or divulging.
to conceal one's identity by using a false name.
verb
-
to keep from discovery; hide
-
to keep secret
Related Words
See hide 1.
Other Word Forms
- concealability noun
- concealable adjective
- concealedly adverb
- concealedness noun
- concealer noun
- concealment noun
- half-concealed adjective
- half-concealing adjective
- preconceal verb (used with object)
- reconceal verb (used with object)
- semiconcealed adjective
- subconcealed adjective
- unconcealed adjective
- unconcealing adjective
- unconcealingly adverb
- well-concealed adjective
Etymology
Origin of conceal
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English conselen, concelen, from Anglo-French conceler from Latin concēlāre, from con- con- + cēlāre “to hide” ( hull 1 )
Explanation
When you conceal something, you are keeping it from being discovered: “To avoid another argument with his cousins, Jonathan worked hard to conceal his disappointment at the outcome of the race.” The verb conceal can be used to describe the hiding of feelings (as in “to conceal anger”) or facts (as in “to conceal identity”). Conceal also can be used to describe the act of hiding or covering an item to prevent discovery. If you eat the last piece of chocolate cake, for example, you may want to conceal the evidence by removing the icing-stained plate from your room.
Vocabulary lists containing conceal
"Of Mice and Men"
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The Star Spangled Banner
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"Black Ships Before Troy," Vocabulary from the myth
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A woman listened as he was sentenced, trying to conceal tears.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Ting-Wei Sun was described in the filing as a "fixer" who worked with others to conceal the scheme.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
Iran controls a number of small islands off its southern coast, which the regime uses to host oil infrastructure, base missiles and conceal boats in caves.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
“These defendants allegedly fabricated documents, staged bogus equipment to pass audit inventories, and used a pass-through company to conceal their misconduct and true clientele list,” federal prosecutors said.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026
I skidded to a stop and tugged down the brim of my cap to conceal my face.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
