reveal

play

verb re·veal \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

revealable

play \-ˈvē-lə-bəl\ adjective

revealer

noun

See reveal defined for English-language learners

See reveal defined for kids

Examples of reveal in a Sentence

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 of reveal from the Web

The story behind the statement reveals two senators willing to be branded as bill killers and seemingly unconcerned with trying to soften the blow with party leaders.

— Washington Post, "In Trump style, senators’ tweet dashed GOP health care hopes," 19 July 2017
What HNA rarely publicly revealed, if ever, is that Mr. Wang is the younger brother of its co-founder and co-chairman, Wang Jian.

— david barboza, New York Times, "Behind a Chinese Powerhouse, a Web of Family Financial Ties," 18 July 2017
As if the interplay of Aleppo pepper and sumac weren’t dramatic enough, a retractable ceiling reveals the illuminated bell tower.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
The payment was revealed in a Q2 FEC report filed on Saturday by the Trump campaign.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Did Trump’s Lawyer Just Implicate Him in Donnygate?," 17 July 2017
The operation, done with tiny incisions through a scope, revealed a shredded meniscus, the cartilage-like disc that acts like a cushion between the bones of the knee joint.

— jane e. brody, idahostatesman, "Arthroscopic procedures on knees may just be delaying the inevitable," 16 July 2017
That payment was made 13 days before it was publicly revealed that Futerfas would represent Trump's eldest son in the Russia investigations.

— mark berman, chicagotribune.com, "Campaign paid firm of lawyer representing Trump Jr. before emails were made public," 15 July 2017
Friends and advocates have criticized the level of Liu’s care since it was revealed last month that he was diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer and transferred to the hospital, where he was denied visitors and not allowed to leave.

— ting shi, Bloomberg.com, "China Defends Nobel Laureate's Care After Death Fuels Outcry," 14 July 2017
A submerged camera revealed an oceanscape thick as thieves with the normally rare organisms.

— jennifer frazer, Scientific American Blog Network, "Alien Creature Swarming Oregon's Coast Is Actually a Close Relative [Video]," 10 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of reveal

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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

reveal

noun re·veal

Definition of reveal

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

Recent Examples of reveal from the Web

The Park Tavern & Restaurant has reopened for business in phase one of the big reveal since its renovations that began Memorial Day weekend 2016.

— sara grant, The Know, "Cap Hill mainstay Park Tavern reopens with a fresh look, new menu and impressive rooftop," 27 Apr. 2017
Today’s big reveal showed the Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye and Rocket Raccoon.

— gieson cacho, The Mercury News, "Video: Something is missing from that ‘Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite’ trailer," 25 Apr. 2017
Fact: Keeping the gender of your baby a secret and then filming the reveal is a good way to go viral (for better or worse) in a hurry.

— caralynn lippo, Redbook, "Dad of 5 Girls Flips Out After Learning His Wife Just Gave Birth to a Boy," 20 Apr. 2017
During that time, Nancy suffered six miscarriages, the former figure skater and Olympic medalist said in an emotional reveal on Dancing with the Stars Monday night.

— jenae sitzes, Woman's Day, "Nancy Kerrigan Opens Up About Having 6 "Devastating" Miscarriages in an 8-Year Span," 11 Apr. 2017
Some 162,000 people were watching for the final reveal.

— jack marshall, WSJ, "CMO Today: Facebook Targets Live Sports Programming," 10 Mar. 2017
From 2012 to 2016, the early clue reveal was held at The Original Gabe’s by the Park in the Como Park neighborhood.

— dave orrick, Twin Cities, "Shamrocks vs. Gabe’s vs. PiPress sidewalk: Treasure hunters weigh in," 26 Jan. 2017
Take a look at how the bathroom came together in Henderson's big reveal, below.

— jessica cumberbatch anderson, ELLE Decor, "Before + After: A Dated Bathroom Gets A Glamorous Update," 2 Oct. 2015

Origin and Etymology of reveal

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1688

See Words from the same year

REVEAL Defined for Kids

reveal

play

verb re·veal \ri-ˈvēl\

Definition of reveal for Students

revealed

;

revealing

1 : to make known “Secrecy about what?” “That I cannot reveal.” — Robert C. O'Brien, Rats of NIMH
2 : to show clearly The opened door revealed a messy room.