- present participle of reveal.
revealing
Americanadjective
-
eye-opening or enlightening; disclosing much.
-
(of a garment) showing areas of the body that are usually kept covered.
adjective
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of significance or import
a very revealing experience
-
showing or designed to show more of the body than is usual or conventional
a revealing costume
Other Word Forms
Explanation
Use the adjective revealing to describe disclosing something that was hidden, either literally or figuratively. If you ask people if they've ever cheated on a test, you may get revealing answers that tell you whether the person is honest or not. Revealing comes from the Latin word revelare, which literally means "unveil," and that word has its roots in re-, meaning "the opposite of," and velare meaning "to cover or veil." It is little wonder that the adjective revealing is often used to describe clothing that leaves little to the imagination. If your daughter's date comes to the door in a revealing shirt with almost every button undone, you might ask him to put on a jacket or else he'll be sure to catch cold.
Vocabulary lists containing revealing
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
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"The Dead and the Gone" Susan Beth Pfeffer, Chapters 11–14
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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.
Parton had canceled a planned Las Vegas engagement in May 2026, revealing that she was being treated for kidney stones as well as other undisclosed digestive and immune ailments.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
Green lasers shot out into the crowd, revealing the faces of fans who’d waited all night on aching feet to see their favorites.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
He added that the DOJ wanted to discuss the deal with the states before revealing it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
David had thanked fans for their "kindness and support" in another post two days after revealing she had cancer.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
Jack glanced at the picture of Rose Red revealing herself to the three of them, and once again, he was impressed.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
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.
