Synonyms

conceal

American

[kuhn-seel] / kənˈsil /

verb (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.

conceal British

/ kənˈsiːl /

verb

to keep from discovery; hide
to keep secret

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See hide ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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” ( see also 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.

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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.

See Examples For:

conceal conceals concealed concealing

A federal grand jury indicted Beirich for participating in an alleged scheme to conceal the source of the funds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

To help conceal the plot, which one anonymous U.S. official called a “deception operation,” White House officials made journalists aboard Air Force One close their window shades.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

Cars parked perpendicular to the kerb often conceal footpaths or block them altogether, while vehicles parked directly on pavements are a common sight.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

But for the mom, who goes by “TJ” online to conceal her identity, the reality was more complicated.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

But hidden drawers, lockable diaries and cryptographic systems could not conceal from Briony the simple truth: she had no secrets.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

The presidency is a skin suit that barely conceals this ambition.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

This feels like a benefit because it conceals from patients the true cost of their care, while its shortcomings relative to other countries are noticeable only to policy nerds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

However, this apparent balance conceals strong regional differences.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 25, 2026

Pop Mart is best known for selling toys in "blind boxes" - a type of packaging that conceals its contents until it is opened.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025

I smile, glad that my hair conceals my face.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

In recent years, customs officials have repeatedly intercepted passengers arriving from south-east Asia with live reptiles, birds and primates concealed in their luggage.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

“Mr. Carvalho never intentionally concealed any income or gifts on his Form 700 filings,” the attorneys said, referring to the state disclosure forms.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

The Daily Telegraph said it had obtained unredacted plans that showed Beijing reportedly plans to construct a "concealed chamber" among "secret rooms" underneath the embassy which would be close to sensitive underground communications cables.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

Many are deployed on mobile truck-mounted launchers or concealed within hardened underground coastal missile bases.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

“I must refuse,” answered Taran with a smile that ill concealed his anxiety.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

It even mentions tests on concealing a device inside a tape recorder.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

Senate Majority Leader John Thune isn’t concealing his disinterest in what the House is offering, saying that he wants to focus on government funding instead.

From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2026

He embedded a whole apparatus of passages and outbuildings into the descending terrain to the east, concealing them so effectively from view that from the west Monticello has the character of an isolated hilltop temple.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

Co-directors Lorenzo Ferro and Lucas Vignale find a timeless and strikingly solemn protagonist in Barria, whose perceptive eyes take in the world while concealing his preoccupations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

The black box: a fig leaf in reverse, concealing identity while leaving shame exposed.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023