reveal

verb re·veal \ ri-ˈvēl \

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: reveal in a Sentence

Definition of reveal

revealed; revealing; reveals

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

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revealable

play \ri-ˈvē-lə-bəl\ adjective

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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 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 giant boxes, which will also appear in London, Tokyo and Milan, will open to reveal a pop-up event that will be live-streamed on the Amazon website.

— elizabeth weise, USA TODAY, "Amazon Prime Day events could include concerts, gaming with giant 25-foot boxes in NYC, LA," 3 July 2018
Meanwhile, any details about the upcoming nuptials have yet to be revealed.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Pete Davidson Reveals Platinum Blonde Hair on Instagram," 2 July 2018
But even now that the extraordinary power of the human brain is starting to be revealed, the mystical view of inspiration remains.

— daniel glaser, A-LIST, "Out of Your Mind," 1 July 2018
Luckily, the folks over at MyDomaine consulted Behr Paint color expert Erika Woelfel, who was more than happy to reveal the most popular paint colors US homeowners picked for their décor projects over the last year.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Experts Say These Are the Most Popular Paint Colors Right Now," 28 June 2018
Wyoming’s Teton mountains on the horizon are also inflated, and Berann swung them around to the east to reveal the most iconic view of the range rather than the end-on view that would exist from the viewer’s vantage point in real life.

— betsy mason, National Geographic, "Gorgeous Panoramic Paintings of National Parks Now Online," 28 June 2018
This became the standard way to quantify neural activity, but the variability may result from where neurons are in oscillation cycles, so the practice ignores the timing information needed to reveal traveling waves.

— simon makin, Scientific American, "“Traveling” Brain Waves May Be Critical for Cognition," 28 June 2018
The prosecutor has declined to reveal how many rounds were fired, or how many times Wells was struck.

— robert moran, Philly.com, "'Shots fired! Shots fired! … Everybody out!' Terror and chaos at Trenton arts festival," 27 June 2018
Spinelli, too, was a Jane Doe, until in February she was transferred to the Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills to serve the remainder of a six-year sentence and felt safe enough to reveal her name.

— john h. tucker, Daily Intelligencer, "Rape at Rosie’s," 26 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

reveal Synonyms

Phrases

bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about);

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

Definition of reveal

plural reveals

: 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

First Known Use of reveal

1596

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

reveal

noun

Definition of reveal

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

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year