reveal

American  

[ri-veel] / rɪˈvil /

verb (used with object)

1. to make known; disclose; divulge.

   She hounded me into revealing what I knew.

   Synonyms:

   proclaim, announce, tell, impart, publish, unveil

   Antonyms:

   hide, conceal

2. to lay open to view; display; exhibit.

   Synonyms:

   proclaim, announce, tell, impart, publish, unveil

   Antonyms:

   hide, conceal

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noun

1. 1. an act or instance of revealing; disclosure.

   2. an act or instance of showing or revealing something surprising for the first time.

      Stay tuned for the renovation's big reveal!

      The big reveal of the season was that the main character was the murderer.

2. Architecture.

   1. the part of the jamb of a window or door opening between the outer wall surface and the window or door frame.

   2. the whole jamb of an opening between the outer and inner surfaces of a wall.

3. the framework or edge of an automobile window.

reveal British  

/ rɪˈviːl /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to disclose (a secret); divulge

2. to expose to view or show (something concealed)

3. (of God) to disclose (divine truths) either directly or through the medium of prophets, etc

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noun

1. architect the vertical side of an opening in a wall, esp the side of a window or door between the frame and the front of the wall

Related Words

Reveal, disclose, divulge share the meaning of making known something previously concealed or secret. To reveal is to uncover as if by drawing away a veil: The fog lifted and revealed the harbor. To disclose is to lay open and thereby invite inspection: to disclose the plans of an organization. To divulge is to communicate, sometimes to a large number of people, what was at first intended to be private, confidential, or secret: to divulge the terms of a contract.

Other Word Forms

• half-revealed adjective
• nonrevealing adjective
• prereveal verb (used with object)
• revealability noun
• revealable adjective
• revealableness noun
• revealedly adverb
• revealer noun
• revealingly adverb
• revealingness noun
• revealment noun
• revelative adjective
• self-revealed adjective
• unrevealable adjective
• unrevealed adjective
• unrevealing adjective
• unrevealingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of reveal

First recorded in 1325–75; (verb) Middle English revelen, from Middle French reveler, from Latin revēlāre “to unveil” ( re-, veil ); reveal ( for defs. 4, 5 ) derivative of obsolete revale “to lower,” from Old French revaler ( re- re- + (a)valer “to lower,” verbal derivative of the phrase à val “down”; vale )

Explanation

When you make something visible or make it public information, you reveal it. For example, if you want to plan a picnic, wait until forecasters reveal the weather that is predicted. The verb reveal comes from the Latin word revelare meaning "unveil," like when you take off your hat to reveal your new haircut, or when you reveal information about your past that will shock or amuse your friends. You might also be familiar with the noun form of reveal, makeover show-speak for the moment viewers see the newly renovated room or someone's dramatic new look, as in saving the reveal for the end of the show so people keep watching.

Example Sentences

“Anne Hathaway being in it was what initially interested me . . . and then the reveal of the dinosaur aspect got my full attention.”

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

They reveal a time of major population growth and cultural change, driven by contact between different human groups.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Then, as the cool of autumn took hold, it was finally time for the great reveal: underneath an insulated protective cover was old snow.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026

Hollywood actor Tate Donovan is parting ways with the beautiful Texas property he has owned for the last decade, listing the picturesque dwelling for just a hair under $1.7 million, Realtor.com can reveal.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

That call dispensed with, I turn toward Miss Genovese again and hope that my face doesn’t reveal my deception.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• acknowledge
• admit
• affirm
• announce
• concede
• confess
• declare
• divulge
• explain
• expose
• inform
• publish
• report
• tell