conceal
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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
-
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 )
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.
Prosecutors charge that the scheme involved using hair dryers to transfer serial numbers from real Super Micro servers to “dummy” versions to conceal from inspectors that the actual Super Micro servers were in China.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026
Although this helps ships conceal their position, it also presents challenges for firms like Kpler who are tracking movements in the strait.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Others have gone through the Strait of Hormuz with their transponders switched off to conceal their position, sometimes only reappearing on marine trackers once safely out of the area.
From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026
An alleged victim’s self-identification as such, Mr. Clayton told the judges, is all that is required for the department to conceal records on her behalf or remove records entirely.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
I couldn’t conceal my coughing, could hardly even breathe.
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.
