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Synonyms

conceal

American

[kuhn-seel] / kənˈsil /

verb (used with object)

to hide; withdraw or remove from observation; cover or keep from sight.

He concealed the gun under his coat.
to keep secret; to prevent or avoid disclosing or divulging.

to conceal one's identity by using a false name.

conceal British

/ kənˈsiːl /

verb

to keep from discovery; hide
to keep secret

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See hide ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of conceal

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English conselen, concelen, from Anglo-French conceler from Latin concēlāre, from con- con- + cēlāre “to hide” ( see also hull ¹)

Explanation

When you conceal something, you are keeping it from being discovered: “To avoid another argument with his cousins, Jonathan worked hard to conceal his disappointment at the outcome of the race.” The verb conceal can be used to describe the hiding of feelings (as in “to conceal anger”) or facts (as in “to conceal identity”). Conceal also can be used to describe the act of hiding or covering an item to prevent discovery. If you eat the last piece of chocolate cake, for example, you may want to conceal the evidence by removing the icing-stained plate from your room.

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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:

conceal conceals concealed concealing

The lawsuit alleges that Sheriff Robert Luna failed to confiscate Giandomenico’s phone after learning of the photos and tried to conceal from Nancy Lemus that the images existed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

By putting it among "a larger collection of ceremonial and other weapons" it would have "helped to conceal what it had been used for" because she wanted him "to avoid being caught", the judge said.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Many said they planned to conceal the symbol to smuggle it into the stadium.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

Panish alleged that Erickson and the Grossmans had tried to conceal the total amount of their assets since the crash.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

She pulled the front of her jacket closed to conceal as much of the dress as possible.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

The presidency is a skin suit that barely conceals this ambition.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

However, this apparent balance conceals strong regional differences.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 25, 2026

Policymakers can’t craft effective rules if the private sector conceals the incidents that illuminate emerging risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025

Pop Mart is best known for selling toys in "blind boxes" - a type of packaging that conceals its contents until it is opened.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025

I pray that this stupid baggy T-shirt conceals the phone in my pocket.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Five generations later, Dorothy said she has never concealed her orientation at Jefferson-Hemings family gatherings, often bringing her wife of over 35 years.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

If the truck and the Walkman were metaphorical beacons, a modest gold, rope necklace and Jeff Kent’s mustache were concealed anchors even when in plain sight.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

The four white dwarf stars in this "nearby region" of space each have larger and brighter red dwarf companions that had previously concealed them.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

In June 1981, before becoming president, he survived a bombing claimed by the Mujahedin-e Khalq group, when an explosive device concealed in a tape recorder detonated during a speech.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

“Unless she had him concealed in those gigantic sleeves,” Chandresh mutters.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Senate Majority Leader John Thune isn’t concealing his disinterest in what the House is offering, saying that he wants to focus on government funding instead.

From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2026

Meenakashi Bhandari, 48, was found guilty of concealing and transferring criminal property.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

The new observations revealed that all four nearby red dwarfs were concealing white dwarf companions.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

All received 50-year sentences but Rueda, who instead received 70 years, as she was also convicted of corruptly concealing a document.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

Motive, she added, was very important: what was her motive in concealing from her parents the time she spent with Ishmael?

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023