unveil

American  

[uhn-veyl] / ʌnˈveɪl /

verb (used with object)

unveils, present (3rd person singular) unveiled, past participle, past unveiling present participle

1. to remove a veil or other covering from; display; reveal.

   The woman unveiled herself.

2. to reveal or disclose by or as if by removing a veil or covering.

   to unveil a monument; to unveil a secret; to unveil a truth.

   Synonyms:

   expose, broadcast, bare, divulge

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verb (used without object)

unveils, present (3rd person singular) unveiled, past participle, past unveiling present participle

1. to become revealed by or as if by removing a veil.

unveil British  

/ ʌnˈveɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to remove the cover or shroud from, esp in the ceremonial unveiling of a monument, etc

2. to remove the veil from (one's own or another person's face)

3. (tr) to make (something secret or concealed) known or public; divulge; reveal

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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

• unveiling
  present
• unveiled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• unveil
  simple
• unveils
  simple
• have unveiled
  perfect
• has unveiled
  perfect
• am unveiling
  progressive
• are unveiling
  progressive
• is unveiling
  progressive
• have been unveiling
  perfect progressive
• has been unveiling
  perfect progressive

Past

• unveiled
  simple
• had unveiled
  perfect
• was unveiling
  progressive
• were unveiling
  progressive
• had been unveiling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will unveil
  simple
• will have unveiled
  perfect
• will be unveiling
  progressive
• will have been unveiling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of unveil

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ² + veil

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.

Example Sentences

While Greer did not unveil a schedule for formal talks with Canada, he has met with LeBlanc.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

Vance said Monday that President Donald Trump could unveil it before then.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

Reports have suggested the prime minister is preparing to unveil an additional £13.5bn after negotiations with the department, possibly in the coming days.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, expected to unveil new and key developments in the AI space for the world’s third-largest company, is slated to begin on Monday.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

“Well, Kenneth, since you seem to be the only one with any curiosity, I guess you’ll be the one who gets to unveil the Bomber’s latest addition.”

From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis

Related Words

• disclose
• display
• open
• tell