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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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:
Tesla will unveil a new vehicle infused with rocket technology on Thursday evening.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Lidegaard plans to unveil a more ambitious strategy for stimulating defense production in coming months.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
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
Big Wall Street banks will unveil third-quarter results next week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
It was time to unveil his entire idea.
From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins
Tesla jumps after the EV maker unveils its new Roadster sports car, but CoreWeave slides as AI jitters carry on spooking the market.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Plus, British counterterrorism police release suspects in terror plot at base hosting U.S. forces and Trump unveils $15 billion Iowa steel project.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
The biggest moment for the Burnham government this autumn will come on 28 October, when Chancellor John Healey unveils the Budget.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
The European Union on Friday unveils reforms of its carbon market, after fierce wrangling between countries, industry and activists over the pace of the bloc's climate push.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Dr. Bigelow unveils his plaster life mask of Phineas.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
The president has also unveiled debt relief for small businesses, new university grants and measures to ease fuel costs, while proposing free weekend public transport.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
The Roadster was first unveiled by Musk in late 2017, but Tesla repeatedly pushed back planned demonstrations of its progress.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
The airline unveiled the name of the new airport lounges it is developing with Chase.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
A new version of Tesla's Roadster electric sports car, equipped with thrusters which apparently allow it to hover and turn in mid-air, has been unveiled in Texas.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
He imagined suddenly that he caught a muffled cry, and he made towards it; and even as he went forward the mist was rolled up and thrust aside, and the starry sky was unveiled.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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
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
“This is a beautiful encounter of art and film,” Govan said at the unveiling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
On Thursday, Meta is unveiling a new version which does not contain a camera at all, called Ray-Ban Meta Audio.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
The unveiling in 1926 of a new opera by the last great Italian composer in the genre, Giacomo Puccini, could fairly be described as a media event on a global scale.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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