reveal

¹re·veal

verb \ri-ˈvēl\

Definition of REVEAL

transitive verb

1

: to make known through divine inspiration

2

: to make (something secret or hidden) publicly or generally known <reveal a secret>

3

: to open up to view : display <the uncurtained window revealed a cluttered room>

— re·veal·able \-ˈvē-lə-bəl\ adjective

— re·veal·er noun

Examples of REVEAL

1. She would not reveal the secret.
2. The test revealed the true cause of death.
3. It was revealed that they stole over $1 million.
4. They revealed the plans for the new building.
5. The expression on his face revealed how he felt.
6. The curtain was lifted to reveal the grand prize.
7. Pulling up the carpeting revealed the home's beautiful hardwood floors.

Origin of REVEAL

Middle English revelen, from Anglo-French reveler, from Latin revelare to uncover, reveal, from re- + velare to cover, veil, from velum veil

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REVEAL

Synonyms: bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), spill, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil, bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about)

Antonyms: cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil

Related Words: confide, share; debunk, show up; unclothe, undrape; advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound; betray, blab, give away, leak; inform, squeal, talk; communicate, impart, relate; acknowledge, admit, avow, concede, confess, own; disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth

Near Antonyms: camouflage, disguise; gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash; becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

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Synonym Discussion of REVEAL

reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed. reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason <divine will as revealed in sacred writings>. disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret <candidates must disclose their financial assets>. divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence <refused to divulge an anonymous source>. tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information <told them what he had overheard>. betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure <a blush that betrayed her embarrassment>.

Rhymes with REVEAL

aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, appeal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, conceal, congeal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, genteel, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, ideal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel