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:
The original proposed date had been Friday the 13th, until it was pointed out that that may not be the most auspicious date to unveil candidates.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Gunaydin said it was "clear" Kaya had received insider information and pledged that the party would unveil more names this week.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Ellison is expected to unveil the combined company’s organizational structure in the coming days, including leadership teams for the movie and television studios—and potentially CNN and CBS News, people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Still, Kennedy’s team believed they had clearance to unveil the definition, and planned a high-profile food policy event in August, some of the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 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
Plus, British counterterrorism police release suspects in terror plot at base hosting U.S. forces and Trump unveils $15 billion Iowa steel project.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Axon Enterprise stock falls after the Taser maker unveils its plans to raise $1 billion in debt.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
Netflix’s “Below” joins the watery spectrum already inhabited by “Jaws,” “The Meg,” “47 Meters Down” and numerous other entries as it unveils its premise about a seaside town targeted by a mysterious monster.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
Another reshuffled cabinet minister, Wes Streeting, unveils his promise to "quit if defence plan falls short" as he takes on the post of defence secretary, the Daily Mail writes.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Dr. Bigelow unveils his plaster life mask of Phineas.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
In September, Beijing unveiled a raft of support measures, including lower interest rates for some businesses and subsidies for property buyers, in an effort to boost the economy.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
The Met has partnered with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to give away 70,000 tickets this season under the "Opera for All" program unveiled last month.
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026
The second-generation Roadster, a nod to the company’s first-ever car, was originally unveiled in 2017.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Tesla’s newly unveiled flying sports car, which features SpaceX rocket thrusters, could help Musk push for a merger between his two biggest companies, analysts say,
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Isa had been speechless when Jessie unveiled it on their birthday.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
The unveiling of the Roadster was postponed many times and had been expected for at least nine years.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Some who saw Oxford’s Botley Road bridges after their unveiling said they could understand the delays and expense.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The cafe will join the new building’s yet-to-be announced restaurant, which is already holding private events including a recent unveiling of an Ed Ruscha-designed poster for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film, “Digger.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecomu on Thursday was unveiling the country’s draft budget that he will try to push through a fractured parliament.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
Instead, he was being invited to witness Ernest’s unveiling of his most audacious project yet.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
