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.
Freedom 250 is a limited liability company that operates inside a long-established foundation, the National Park Foundation, meaning it won’t have to disclose anything about its spending until 2027.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
Allies of Sir Olly have argued he had a duty not to disclose details of the vetting, which are highly intrusive and personal, as this would undermine the process.
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
Concealing the use of such informants from the defense, as happened in Carruthers’ case, is a serious breach of a prosecutor’s obligation to disclose potentially exculpatory information.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
The board does not disclose open investigations or cases when a doctor has been cleared of wrongdoing.
From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026
The successful test brought into sharp relief the issue of what to disclose to America’s allies.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
