disclose
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
to make (information) known
-
to allow to be seen; lay bare
Related Words
See reveal.
Other Word Forms
- discloser noun
- predisclose verb (used with object)
- self-disclosed adjective
- undisclosed adjective
Etymology
Origin of disclose
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English disclosen, desclosen, from Old French desclos-, stem of desclore, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + clore “to close,” from Latin claudere; see close
Explanation
Disclose means to reveal or expose information that has previously been kept a secret — like a politician might be forced to disclose his finances or former scandals while running for office. When a politician, corporate executive, or celebrity announces that he or she has something to disclose, the public listens. They know that the information they're about to hear was kept secret for a reason. Something incriminating or juicy is about to be revealed, like a secret affair or plummeting company profits.
Vocabulary lists containing disclose
Case Closed: Clud, Clus
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A Christmas Carol
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The Launch of Sputnik 1
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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.
The force said it would not disclose the findings of the Hydrant review into its investigation because of ongoing legal action being taken by the families.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
The companies didn’t disclose the size of the investment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
Another cop, whose name was not released by the department, was suspended for 10 days after both failing to disclose a relationship with a subordinate and using a department database for nonwork purposes.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026
Companies must disclose these pledges, though they may simply reflect the executive’s capacity to borrow rather than the amount of debt outstanding.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
A day before this session, Shin said he had something new and important to disclose.
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
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.
