uncover

verb

un·​cov·​er ən-ˈkə-vər 

uncovered; uncovering; uncovers

transitive verb

1

: to make known : bring to light : disclose, reveal

uncover the truth

2

: to expose to view by removing some covering

3

a

: to take the cover from

b

: to remove the hat from

uncovered his head

4

: to deprive of protection

intransitive verb

1

: to remove a cover or covering

2

: to take off the hat as a token of respect

Synonyms

• reveal
• discover
• disclose
• tell
• expose

Examples of uncover in a Sentence

Police uncovered a criminal plot.

Archaeologists uncovered the ruins of an ancient city.

Recent Examples on the Web

An early example was uncovered by the young Benjaman Graham, who went on co-author a classic book on investing, and was the early mentor to Warren Buffett. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

The mathematical problems had already been solved by humans—and GPT-5 had simply uncovered the existing solutions to those problems. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

In addition to uncovering your dog’s breed background, a DNA test can also identify possible health risks associated with their genetics. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

The developer likely earned over $1 million before the breach was uncovered. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for uncover

• discover
• hardcover
• recover
• thereover
• cover
• hover
• plover
• rediscover
• undercover

Kids Definition

uncover

verb

un·​cov·​er ˌən-ˈkəv-ər 

1

: to make known : disclose, reveal

uncover a plot

2

: to expose to view by removing some covering

uncover the ruins of an ancient city

3

a

: to take the cover from

uncover the box

b

: to remove the hat from

c

: to take off one's hat as a sign of respect