reveal

verb

re·veal | \ ri-ˈvēl

revealed; revealing; reveals

Definition of reveal

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

reveal

noun (1)

plural reveals

Definition of reveal (Entry 2 of 3)

: the act or an instance of showing, revealing, or disclosing something (such as surprising information or a new product) for the first time Last year, in the fall and holiday after the reveal of the iPhone 7, Apple sold 78.29 million phones.— Eric Limer … it's tough to discuss the final volume of the series without acknowledging some of the big reveals of its predecessors.— David Kamp The big end reveal isn't just a shock; it's deeply upsetting, an emotional gut-punch.— Matt Prigge That fact will eventually become evident, no doubt … . That is the art of the slow reveal.— Peter J. Boyer

reveal

noun (2)

Definition of reveal (Entry 3 of 3)

: the side of an opening (as for a window) between a frame and the outer surface of a wall also : jamb

Other Words from reveal Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reveal

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Choose the Right Synonym for reveal

Verb

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

Examples of reveal in a Sentence

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Blue Bloods fans were understandably devastated when the show revealed Linda Reagan (Amy Carlson) had tragically perished in a helicopter crash. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "'Blue Bloods' Star Donnie Wahlberg Was 'Heartbroken' When Amy Carlson Left the Show," 11 May 2019 Some Bassnectar fans were later irked when the schedule revealed the rap acts were stacked on Friday, with new ticket options for Friday-only and two-night, Saturday-Sunday passes becoming available. — Michael Rietmulder, The Seattle Times, "End of the Rainbow, Sasquatch replacement festival, ‘postponed indefinitely’," 25 Mar. 2019 The biggest news came today, when senior Pentagon leadership revealed progress in a plan to build an American airbase in Poland. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "It Looks Like A U.S. Air Base Is Coming To Poland," 13 Mar. 2019 While the bride and groom didn't reveal too many more details about the wedding, Rodriguez did thank the team who helped organize the affair. — Neha Prakash, Glamour, "Gina Rodriguez Wore Not One, But Two Gorgeous Wedding Dresses," 6 May 2019 The recording doesn’t reveal the name of the worker or the contractor. — Jonathan Drew, The Seattle Times, "Worker calmly reveals gas leak in 911 call before blast," 12 Apr. 2019 But in many children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, blood tests won’t reveal any significant abnormalities. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Claire Foy on What It Was Like to Have 'Extremely Painful' Juvenile Arthritis," 9 Jan. 2019 In August, Hotel Partana’s striking steel, wood, and glass rooms were revealed, while Mexico design-hotel hitmakers Grupo Habita are working on glampsite Cuatro Cuatros to add a hotel, cabins, a spa, and a restaurant, all set to open in summer 2019. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Next Great Food Scene, Beach Town, and More: The 2019 Trends We're Calling Now," 18 Dec. 2018 It is also revealed Athena was killed by pirates, and the mermaids in Peter Pan have a less than cordial relationship with Captain Hook and his pirates. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "20 Insane Disney Movie Fan Theories That Will Blow. Your. Mind.," 16 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reveal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for reveal

Verb

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

Noun (2)

alteration of earlier revale, probably ultimately from Middle French ravaler to reduce the depth of (masonry or wood), literally, to take back down, from Old French, from re- + avaler to let fall — more at vail

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