unveil
Americanverb (used with object)
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unveils,
present (3rd person singular)
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unveiled,
past participle, past
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unveiling
present participle
verb (used without object)
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unveils,
present (3rd person singular)
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unveiled,
past participle, past
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unveiling
present participle
verb
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(tr) to remove the cover or shroud from, esp in the ceremonial unveiling of a monument, etc
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to remove the veil from (one's own or another person's face)
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(tr) to make (something secret or concealed) known or public; divulge; reveal
Usage
What does unveil mean? Unveil means to reveal or uncover something. This can be literal, such as by taking a veil or other physical covering off of something, as in The sculptor tugged the sheet away to unveil her masterpiece. It can also be used figuratively—often in a way that likens the action to physically uncovering something. In this sense, it can mean to present something publicly for the first time, as in They plan to unveil the new model at the convention next month. Or it can mean to uncover something that has been kept secret or hidden, as in Her investigative reporting unveiled a conspiracy. Things that have been revealed can be described with the adjective unveiled, as in Here are the first photos of the newly unveiled design concept. The noun unveiling can refer to an event where this happens, or the act of doing it, as in The plans will be revealed at the big unveiling next week. Example: The company unveiled its new phone design last week after months of speculation.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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unveilsimple
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unveilssimple
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have unveiledperfect
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has unveiledperfect
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am unveilingprogressive
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are unveilingprogressive
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is unveilingprogressive
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have been unveilingperfect progressive
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has been unveilingperfect progressive
Past
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unveiledsimple
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had unveiledperfect
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was unveilingprogressive
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were unveilingprogressive
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had been unveilingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unveil
Explanation
Unveil is a dramatic verb we use when we uncover or reveal something for the first time, often in front of a large gathering or as part of a publicity campaign. A city's mayor might unveil a new monument by removing an actual veil (cloth covering) from it. This is often done with great flourish and accompanied by a drum roll. In a more metaphorical sense, a software company might unveil — that is, publicly announce — a new video game or business application.
Vocabulary lists containing unveil
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for September 19–25, 2020
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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.
See Examples For:
Soon, I’d see inmates unveil smartphones all around me.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Ferguson in May reported first-quarter sales of $7.5 billion, and analysts polled by FactSet expect the distributor to unveil sales of $8.7 billion when it reports second-quarter results next month.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
Two years ago, I stood at the back of a conference room in Manchester Hall, sipping a coffee and watching Andy Burnham unveil his vision for transforming technical education in Greater Manchester.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
He pledged to re-industrialise the country, push through greater public control of utilities and build more public housing, vowing to unveil a 10-year-plan later this year.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
They’d read it right away, the senator said, and set up a public hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—a dramatic setting in which to unveil the Pentagon Papers to the American people.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
Apple unveils new phones and other hardware each fall.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
Waymo unveils the Ojai, its new self-driving taxi that has more leg room and is better equipped for snowy roads.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
Microsoft unveils seven new AI models at its Build conference, competing with OpenAI and Anthropic after ending their exclusive partnership.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
“Trump unveils 11 potential Supreme Court nominees,” Politico, May 18, 2016.
From Slate ● May 13, 2026
Dr. Bigelow unveils his plaster life mask of Phineas.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
Only a week ago Braun unveiled the Water Watch Center, a joint effort between DEF CON Franklin and the National Rural Water Association, along with five cybersecurity firms already familiar with the water sector.
From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026
In July this year, UBTech drew global attention when it unveiled what Chinese state media described as a "hyper-realistic" robots designed to offer "emotional support and everyday interaction."
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Harvey yesterday unveiled a major update, Harvey II, that incorporates memory into the platform.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled plans Wednesday to offer those sleeping rough a way off the streets by Christmas, as part of his bid to curb homelessness.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
For a second, he’s unveiled, and I know with lightning certainty that behind that coolness he feels something for me.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
Its latest upgrade focuses on memory, with the four-year-old company unveiling a new version of its platform that will remember the history and preferences of its users.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Putellas' fame is widespread and her grandeur was epitomised by her London City unveiling alongside billionaire owner Michele Kang in New York.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Musk pushed back its unveiling in April, citing concerns that rivals could copy the design.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
Visitors to Thursday's public unveiling were treated to price tags on display throughout the building, listing both market prices and what the ministry said it claimed it had paid instead.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Beto and Cari chose Thursday, pie day, for the unveiling.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
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.
