Definition of veil
1a : a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often especially in Eastern countries for the face; specifically : the outer covering of a nun's headdressb : a length of veiling or netting worn over the head or face or attached for protection or ornament to a hat or headdress a bridal veilc : any of various liturgical cloths; especially : a cloth used to cover the chalice
2 : the life of a nun —often used in the phrase take the veil
3 : a concealing curtain or cover of cloth
4 : something that resembles a veil a veil of stars; especially : something that hides or obscures like a veil lift the veil of secrecy
5 : a covering body part or membrane: such asa : velumb : caul
From the M-W Editors
Examples of veil in a Sentence
Veils of moss draped the trees.
under the veil of descending darkness the thieves began their operation
Recent Examples of veil from the Web
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The central image, posted on her Instagram account, depicted the artist and activist in the style of the Virgin Mary: wearing a veil, surrounded by a halo of flowers.
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Designer wedding gowns and wedding party dresses, veils and accessories are offered at substantial savings.
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And now, that rich girl got married in a very rich-girl way: on a private island while wearing a hooded cape instead of a veil and listening to music from Skrillex.
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In Mr. Jones’s rendition, the garish tropical shirts came muted by a veil of organza.
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Both of them look absolutely stunning in their wedding attire, Danielle, of course, donning a stunning white dress with a long veil.
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The handmaid’s garb comes from a variety of sources (mid-Victorian bonnets and veils, nun wimples).
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Allen’s appearance was a last-minute surprise—arranged so quickly and under such a veil of secrecy the reclusive director’s name didn’t even appear on the crew’s rundown.
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Diana herself knows little of the world or men, her females-only island being protected by veils of fog and a magical force field.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'veil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of veil
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin vēla, plural of vēlum “sail, awning, curtain,” going back to *u̯eg-s-lo-, perhaps derivative of a verbal base *u̯eg-, akin to Old Irish -fig- “weaves,” Old English wēoce “wick” — more at 1wick
Other Clothing Terms
veil
Definition of veil
transitive verb
: to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil
intransitive verb
: to put on or wear a veil
Examples of veil in a Sentence
Her eyes were partially veiled by her long, dark hair.
The sun was veiled by clouds.
Origin and Etymology of veil
Middle English veilen, borrowed from Anglo-French veler, verbal derivative of veil 1veil
Other Clothing Terms
VEIL Defined for English Language Learners
veil
playDefinition of veil for English Language Learners
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: a piece of cloth or net worn usually by women over the head and shoulders and sometimes over the face
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: something that covers or hides something else
veil
Definition of veil for English Language Learners
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: to cover (something) with a veil or with something that is like a veil : to hide or partly hide (something)
VEIL Defined for Kids
Definition of veil for Students
1 : a piece of cloth or net worn usually by women over the head and shoulders and sometimes over the face
2 : something that covers or hides like a veil a veil of secrecy Her hazel eyes, under their veil of long lashes, had a greenish flash to them. — Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain
Definition of veil for Students
veiled
;veiling
: to cover with or as if with a piece of cloth or net for the head and shoulders or face
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about veil
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See words that rhyme with veil Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for veil Spanish Central: Translation of veil Nglish: Translation of veil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of veil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about veil
Seen and Heard
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