hidden
Americanadjective
verb
verb
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hidden
First recorded in 1540–50, for the adjective
Explanation
Hidden things can't be seen — they're concealed in some way. A hidden video camera inside a teddy bear might secretly be keeping an eye on a new babysitter. People with hidden feelings don't let their sadness, anger, and joy show; and hidden clues in a treasure hunt can't be easily found. Hidden things can be obscured deliberately (like hidden eggs at an Easter egg hunt), or simply out of view or undetected by you. Hidden is the past participle of hide, from the Old English hydan, which means "to hide or conceal," but also "to bury a corpse."
Vocabulary lists containing hidden
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 second, Rubin-GC1, is a star cluster on the opposite side of our galaxy, hidden within a region where thick clouds of cosmic dust make observations especially challenging.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 7, 2026
Investigators found cash throughout his house, hidden in walls, containers of spaghetti sauce and a potted plant, according to authorities interviewed in the film.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
These include the hidden elven valley of Rivendell, which was created on a stage using real plants and trees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Many files are believed to have been destroyed during the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising, or hidden during the months-long peaceful transition to democracy.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
Instead of being hidden in the heart of the buildings, they were located outside.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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