disclose
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
to make (information) known
-
to allow to be seen; lay bare
Synonym Usage
See reveal.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
disclosesimple
-
disclosessimple
-
have disclosedperfect
-
has disclosedperfect
-
am disclosingprogressive
-
are disclosingprogressive
-
is disclosingprogressive
-
have been disclosingperfect progressive
-
has been disclosingperfect progressive
Past
-
disclosedsimple
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had disclosedperfect
-
was disclosingprogressive
-
were disclosingprogressive
-
had been disclosingperfect progressive
Future
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 company instructed creators not to disclose they are paid, according to creators who have worked with the company.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026
Lukwago's family went to court seeking an order compelling security officers, whom they accused of abducting him, to disclose his whereabouts and release him whether "dead or alive".
From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026
The district attorney’s office did not disclose what sentences, if any, were imposed on Alvarez for his prior convictions.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026
Newby and court spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment about his decision not to disclose the trip.
From Salon • Jun. 16, 2026
But they have so far been unable to confirm his identity and, until they do, have declined to disclose the name.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
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.
