reveal

[ ri-veel ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make known; disclose; divulge:

   She hounded me into revealing what I knew.

   Synonyms: proclaim, announce, tell, impart, publish, unveil

   Antonyms: hide, conceal

2. to lay open to view; display; exhibit.

   Synonyms: proclaim, announce, tell, impart, publish, unveil

   Antonyms: hide, conceal

noun

1. 1. an act or instance of revealing; disclosure.
   2. an act or instance of showing or revealing something surprising for the first time:

      Stay tuned for the renovation's big reveal!

      The big reveal of the season was that the main character was the murderer.

2. Architecture.
   1. the part of the jamb of a window or door opening between the outer wall surface and the window or door frame.
   2. the whole jamb of an opening between the outer and inner surfaces of a wall.
3. the framework or edge of an automobile window.

reveal

/ rɪˈviːl /

verb

1. may take a clause as object or an infinitive to disclose (a secret); divulge
2. to expose to view or show (something concealed)
3. (of God) to disclose (divine truths) either directly or through the medium of prophets, etc

noun

1. architect the vertical side of an opening in a wall, esp the side of a window or door between the frame and the front of the wall

Derived Forms

• reˈvealable, adjective
• reˌvealaˈbility, noun
• reˈvealment, noun
• reˈvealer, noun

Other Words From

• re·veal·a·ble adjective
• re·veal·a·bil·i·ty [ri-veel-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], re·veal·a·ble·ness noun
• re·veal·ed·ly [ri-, vee, -lid-lee, -, veeld, -], adverb
• re·veal·er noun
• re·veal·ing·ly adverb
• re·veal·ing·ness noun
• re·vel·a·tive [ri-, vel, -, uh, -tiv, rev, -, uh, -ley-], adjective
• half-re·vealed adjective
• non·re·veal·ing adjective
• pre·re·veal verb (used with object)
• self-re·vealed adjective
• un·re·veal·a·ble adjective
• un·re·vealed adjective
• un·re·veal·ing adjective
• un·re·veal·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reveal¹

First recorded in 1325–75; (verb) Middle English revelen, from Middle French reveler, from Latin revēlāre “to unveil” ( re-, veil ); reveal ( fordefs 4, 5 ) derivative of obsolete revale “to lower,” from Old French revaler ( re- re- + (a)valer “to lower,” verbal derivative of the phrase à val “down”; vale )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reveal¹

C14: from Old French reveler , from Latin revēlāre to unveil, from re- + vēlum a veil

Synonym Study

Reveal, disclose, divulge share the meaning of making known something previously concealed or secret. To reveal is to uncover as if by drawing away a veil: The fog lifted and revealed the harbor. To disclose is to lay open and thereby invite inspection: to disclose the plans of an organization. To divulge is to communicate, sometimes to a large number of people, what was at first intended to be private, confidential, or secret: to divulge the terms of a contract.

Example Sentences

As recent flooding in Spain and elsewhere revealed, every minute of warning given to people ahead of a possible flood can save lives and property.

From Science Daily

It also suggests that examining copy number alterations in other organs could reveal how other forms of cancer develop and progress, and the risk-factors underlying them.

From Science Daily

Structural and immunology analysis by collaborators at the University of Copenhagen and The Scripps Research Institute revealed that these antibodies prevent parasite binding by a similar mechanism -- recognising three highly conserved amino acids on CIDRα1.

From Science Daily

Donald Trump is asking Republicans in the Senate to squash a bill that would protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources.

From Salon

The winner will be announced in the New Year, with the top five revealed in reverse order between Monday 6 and Friday 10 January.

From BBC

Related Words

• acknowledge
• admit
• affirm
• announce
• concede
• confess
• declare
• divulge
• explain
• expose
• inform
• publish
• report
• tell