reveal
Americanverb (used with object)
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reveals,
present (3rd person singular)
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revealed,
past participle, past
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revealing
present participle
noun
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reveals
plural
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an act or instance of revealing; disclosure.
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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.
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Architecture.
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the part of the jamb of a window or door opening between the outer wall surface and the window or door frame.
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the whole jamb of an opening between the outer and inner surfaces of a wall.
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the framework or edge of an automobile window.
verb
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(may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to disclose (a secret); divulge
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to expose to view or show (something concealed)
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(of God) to disclose (divine truths) either directly or through the medium of prophets, etc
noun
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
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revealabilitynoun
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revealablenessnoun
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revealernoun
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revealingnessnoun
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revealmentnoun
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prerevealverb (used with object)
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half-revealedadjective
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nonrevealingadjective
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revealableadjective
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revelativeadjective
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self-revealedadjective
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unrevealableadjective
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unrevealedadjective
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unrevealingadjective
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revealedlyadverb
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revealinglyadverb
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unrevealinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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revealsimple
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revealssimple
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have revealedperfect
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has revealedperfect
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am revealingprogressive
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are revealingprogressive
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is revealingprogressive
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have been revealingperfect progressive
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has been revealingperfect progressive
Past
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revealedsimple
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had revealedperfect
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was revealingprogressive
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were revealingprogressive
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had been revealingperfect progressive
Future
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”; see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing reveal
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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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:
Reyes said she wanted to know who made the final decision, but Woodward said the discussions in that meeting were privileged material that the court can’t force Wischer to reveal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
And recalls themselves contain an uncomfortable ambiguity: They reveal that something dangerous entered the food supply, but also that someone detected a problem and warned the public.
From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026
In the process, Tyree notes, the filmmakers reveal that unlike in the past, when captains of industry launched art museums and libraries, this generation isn't as interested in philanthropy.
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026
One of the most important advantages of the new microscope is its ability to reveal cellular activity without relying on fluorescent markers.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
Isaac’s stories reveal much about Jefferson and the world of Monticello’s enslaved people.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
While the argument might be internally consistent, it reveals the absurdity that arises from the use of the death penalty in a country governed by the rule of law.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
Spoiler warning: This article reveals details from episode six of The Celebrity Traitors, series two.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
Their study reveals that cortisol strengthens emotional memories by changing how brain networks involved in emotion and memory function and communicate with one another.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
The dot plot reveals individual Fed officials’ interest-rate outlooks, but it was only the first draft of a project that was supposed to evolve into something more informative and better.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
But a thorough look at the data reveals that the graying of America did nothing to bring down crime in the 1990s.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
Gomez first revealed her lupus diagnosis in a 2015 interview with Billboard.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
In a subsequent Instagram post, the pastor revealed he had been unfaithful to his wife, Laura Lentz.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
An ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot, but Hurts was cleared to play Oct.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
However, the singer previously revealed that her pad is just blocks away from Central Park.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
Recent surveillance of this zone had revealed the existence of more Earth cats, and I hoped one of them would know which of the local Humans had the best technology.
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
Clarkson alleged that an employee spoke to her in a condescending manner after revealing that a similar item would cost $15,000, comparing the encounter to the infamous shopping scene in “Pretty Woman.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
The latest research provides an explanation, revealing how changes in gut bacteria can set off a chain reaction that damages the liver and how DT-109 can interrupt that process.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
Joel canceled concerts in May 2025 after revealing two months before that he had a brain disorder known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, which causes physical and mental issues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Rockstar has released a new launch trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI, revealing more details about what is set to be the biggest game of the year.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
A moment later the lid of the barrel was pried off, revealing a circle of blue sky that was instantly eclipsed by a man, peering in.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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