conceal
Americanverb (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.
verb
-
to keep from discovery; hide
-
to keep secret
Related Words
See hide 1.
Other Word Forms
-
concealabilitynoun
-
concealableadjective
-
concealedlyadverb
-
concealednessnoun
-
concealernoun
-
concealmentnoun
-
half-concealedadjective
-
half-concealingadjective
-
preconcealverb (used with object)
-
reconcealverb (used with object)
-
semiconcealedadjective
-
subconcealedadjective
-
unconcealedadjective
-
unconcealingadjective
-
unconcealinglyadverb
-
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"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Star Spangled Banner
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Black Ships Before Troy," Vocabulary from the myth
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Every morning I tell myself that I am not a middle-aged man as I do a comb-over to conceal my scalp.
From Slate • May 23, 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
Department policy requires officers to record most public encounters; the officers were accused of turning off their body cameras during critical moments — suggesting they may have been trying to conceal their activities.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
“Put these on and draw them tight. They’ll help conceal you. If we run into trouble, stay close and don’t worry. I’ll die before I let harm come to any of you.”
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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.
