conceal
Americanverb (used with object)
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to hide; withdraw or remove from observation; cover or keep from sight.
He concealed the gun under his coat.
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to keep secret; to prevent or avoid disclosing or divulging.
to conceal one's identity by using a false name.
verb
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to keep from discovery; hide
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to keep secret
Related Words
See hide 1.
Other Word Forms
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concealabilitynoun
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concealableadjective
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concealedlyadverb
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concealednessnoun
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concealernoun
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concealmentnoun
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half-concealedadjective
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half-concealingadjective
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preconcealverb (used with object)
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reconcealverb (used with object)
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semiconcealedadjective
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subconcealedadjective
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unconcealedadjective
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unconcealingadjective
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unconcealinglyadverb
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well-concealedadjective
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.
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.
It is stated that they travelled to an address in East Kilbride and repeatedly covered their faces with clothing to conceal their identities from cameras as well as a video doorbell.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
After unsuccessfully exporting the turtles, Do tried to conceal his role by telling his accomplice he had sold them to other domestic buyers, said authorities.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
That shouldn’t be hard, since they’re making no effort to conceal it.
From Slate • May 16, 2026
However, these systems can be turned off to conceal a ship's true identity and location.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
It was a child’s play, chosen to conceal a deeper game on Frank Churchill’s part.
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
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.
