disclose

American  

[dih-sklohz] / dɪˈskloʊz /

verb (used with object)

disclosed, disclosing

1. to make known; reveal or uncover.

   to disclose a secret.

   Synonyms:

   unveil, tell, show

   Antonyms:

   conceal

2. to cause to appear; allow to be seen; lay open to view.

   In spring the violets disclose their fragrant petals.

   Synonyms:

   expose

3. Obsolete. to open up; unfold.

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noun

1. Obsolete. disclosure.

disclose British  

/ dɪsˈkləʊz /

verb

1. to make (information) known

2. to allow to be seen; lay bare

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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.

Example Sentences

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

What’s Next: Berkshire will disclose its overall equity sales and purchases as part of its 10-Q report for the first quarter expected on May 2.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Police did not identify the survivors, or disclose their connection to the attacker, but said both were in stable condition.

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

Call it $300 billion, of which roughly $240 billion would have been triple-A-rated and thus treated, for accounting purposes, as riskless, and therefore unnecessary to disclose.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• acknowledge
• admit
• confess
• discover
• divulge
• leak
• publish
• reveal
• tell
• uncover
• unveil