disclose
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make something known that was secret or private.
to make information known, especially that which has been kept secret or confidential.
Simple“The company refused to disclose how much the CEO was paid last year.”
In context“Under the new transparency laws, the bank is legally required to disclose all potential conflicts of interest to its clients before any contracts are signed.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb that always requires a direct object, such as a fact, a name, or a document.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
to uncover something so that it can be seen.
to expose something to view by removing a cover or opening it up.
Simple“As the fog cleared, the rising sun began to disclose the peaks of the mountains.”
In context“The archaeologist carefully brushed away the sand to disclose the intricate mosaic floor that had been buried for centuries.”
Usage disclose information
“The law requires the Parole Board to take a killer's refusal to disclose where their victim's body is into consideration.”
“Federal regulations require that PACs disclose their names “ in a clear and conspicuous manner ” in their political advertisements.”
From Middle English disclosen, from Middle French desclos, from Old French desclore, itself from Vulgar Latin disclaudere, from Latin dis- + claudere (“to close, shut”) or as a variant of discludo, discludere (cf. disclude). By surface analysis, dis- + close.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.