uncover

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verb un·cov·er \ən-ˈkə-vər\

Definition of uncover

transitive verb
1 : to make known : bring to light : disclose, reveal uncover the truth
2 : to expose to view by removing some covering
3a : to take the cover fromb : 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

See uncover defined for English-language learners

See uncover defined for kids

Examples of uncover in a Sentence

Police uncovered a criminal plot.
Archaeologists uncovered the ruins of an ancient city.

Recent Examples of uncover from the Web

To uncover the real truths about masturbation, Teen Vogue spoke with sex educator Kait Scalisi.

— corinne werder, Teen Vogue, "Masturbation: Fact or Fiction", 5 July 2017
So far, archaeologists have uncovered more than 650 skulls, many covered with lime to bond them together.

— j. weston phippen, The Atlantic, "Archeologists in Mexico Find an Aztec Tower of Skulls", 3 July 2017
Grill until marks appear, about 45 seconds, then uncover squid and turn over (pieces will curl a bit).

— Bon Appetit, "Grilled Squid with Chile Dressing and Radishes", 26 June 2017
Crews uncovered these buried railroad tracks while building a new apartment and shopping complex called The Avenue two blocks from the Courthouse Square.

— lee roop | lroop@al.com, AL.com, "Historic Alabama city's newly discovered ghost sign takes you back in time", 21 June 2017
His film company is responsible for uncovering international corruption.

— jeff mays, Cosmopolitan, "Who Is Jon Ossoff? 14 Things You Need to Know About the Former Georgia Congressional Candidate.", 21 June 2017
Add pork rind pieces to beans, along with the chunk of salt pork, sliced yellow onion and bouquet bag and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Pantry dishes have special movie theater connection", 16 June 2017
Many of the greens have returned to their original shapes, thanks to an aerial photo of the course from 1941 that was uncovered by Trey Kemp of Colligan Golf Design, the architects on the project.

— john henry, star-telegram.com, "Welcome mat is out at renovated Rockwood Golf Course", 12 June 2017
The remains were uncovered by University of South Florida forensic anthropologists who found 55 graves at the school, which operated from 1900 to 2011.

— jim turner, miamiherald, "Scott signs Dozier School, BP settlement bills", 2 June 2017

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

First Known Use of uncover

14th century

UNCOVER Defined for English Language Learners

uncover

play

verb

Definition of uncover for English Language Learners

: to remove a cover from (something)
: to find or become aware of (something that was hidden or secret)
: to allow (something) to be seen by removing a covering

UNCOVER Defined for Kids

uncover

play

verb un·cov·er \ˌən-ˈkə-vər\

Definition of uncover for Students

uncovered

;

uncovering

1 : to make known usually by investigation Police uncovered a crime.
2 : to make visible by removing some covering We shoveled away the dirt to uncover the treasure.
3 : to remove the cover from He uncovered the pot.