unveil
Americanverb (used with object)
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unveils,
present (3rd person singular)
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unveiled,
past participle, past
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unveiling
present participle
verb (used without object)
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unveils,
present (3rd person singular)
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unveiled,
past participle, past
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unveiling
present participle
verb
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(tr) to remove the cover or shroud from, esp in the ceremonial unveiling of a monument, etc
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to remove the veil from (one's own or another person's face)
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(tr) to make (something secret or concealed) known or public; divulge; reveal
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
Conjugated Forms
Present
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unveilsimple
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unveilssimple
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have unveiledperfect
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has unveiledperfect
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am unveilingprogressive
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are unveilingprogressive
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is unveilingprogressive
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have been unveilingperfect progressive
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has been unveilingperfect progressive
Past
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unveiledsimple
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had unveiledperfect
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was unveilingprogressive
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were unveilingprogressive
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had been unveilingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of unveil
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.
Vocabulary lists containing unveil
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for September 19–25, 2020
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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:
Two weeks later, Jaguar's denim-clad design chief Gerry McGovern took to a Miami stage to unveil a pair of radical concept cars, resplendent in Miami Pink and London Blue colour schemes.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Gunaydin said it was "clear" Kaya had received insider information and pledged that the party would unveil more names this week.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Certain White House officials were caught off guard, unaware the health department aimed to unveil it, a person familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Meta is expected to unveil its latest lineup of wearables on Sept. 23 at its developers conference in Menlo Park.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Although the wait is killing Uncle Al, August doesn’t want to unveil her act until it’s perfect.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveils new command for military drone tech and a watchdog finds the Fed didn’t break any rules in building renovation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Another reshuffled cabinet minister, Wes Streeting, unveils his promise to "quit if defence plan falls short" as he takes on the post of defence secretary, the Daily Mail writes.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Apple unveils new phones and other hardware each fall.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
Waymo unveils the Ojai, its new self-driving taxi that has more leg room and is better equipped for snowy roads.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
Dr. Bigelow unveils his plaster life mask of Phineas.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
The all-electric Type 01, unveiled in New York, represents a radical new direction for the classic brand.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Volkswagen-owned Bentley last month unveiled its first EV, touting the $230,000 car’s acceleration from 0 to 60 miles an hour in 2.9 seconds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Then they unveiled something even more important for the company’s future than one man’s graceful feet.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Vivienne Westwood creative director Andreas Kronthaler said the fashion industry was in a "precarious moment" as he unveiled his latest Spring-Summer collection for the British house at Paris Fashion Week.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
Jonathan felt his stomach turn all queer, for in that moment his father’s eyes became unveiled, and they revealed themselves to be full of fear.
From "The Fighting Ground" by Avi
The cafe will join the new building’s yet-to-be announced restaurant, which is already holding private events including a recent unveiling of an Ed Ruscha-designed poster for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film, “Digger.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecomu on Thursday was unveiling the country’s draft budget that he will try to push through a fractured parliament.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
In the weeks since the definition’s scuttled unveiling, many food and agriculture groups and companies, as well as health groups and consumer advocates, have sought to weigh in.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Chipotle shares rise after unveiling the return, for a limited time, of its classic margaritas, which were discontinued in 2019.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
The trees parted, unveiling a shaft of moonlight that ignited Clare’s silhouette.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
