veil

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: 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 headdress
b
: 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 veil
c
: 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 as
a
: velum
b
: caul

veil

2 of 2

verb

veiled; veiling; veils

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

Noun Veils of moss draped the trees. under the veil of descending darkness the thieves began their operation Verb Her eyes were partially veiled by her long, dark hair. The sun was veiled by clouds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Eventually Southwest lifted the veil of secrecy with a real-world experiment at San Diego International Airport in 2006, and invited the media (including NPR) to watch. Joel Rose, NPR, 24 Sep. 2024 Zeus intervenes to stop Thalia from dying, turning her into a tree that anchors the protective veil around the camp. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2024
Verb
Some even suggest that RTO policies are thinly veiled cost-cutting measures, allowing companies to avoid traditional layoffs. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024 Think of it as a means to even out skin tone, veiling dark circles, redness, or pigmentation concerns. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for veil 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'veil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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 wick entry 1

Verb

Middle English veilen, borrowed from Anglo-French veler, verbal derivative of veil veil entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of veil was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near veil

Cite this Entry

“Veil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veil. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

veil

1 of 2 noun
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
lift the veil of secrecy

veil

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with or as if with a veil

Medical Definition

veil

noun
: a covering body part or membrane
especially : caul sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on veil

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