ENGLISH
REFERENCE

expose

v.
US //ɪkˈspoʊz// ex·pose
  1. 1 to reveal or uncover (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to remove a cover so that something can be seen.

    to uncover or make something visible by removing a protective layer or concealment.

    Example

    The low tide exposed the sharp rocks that were usually hidden under the water.

    Example

    The excavation exposed the original foundations of the medieval cathedral, providing archaeologists with a clearer map of the city's historical layout.
  2. 2 to show the truth (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to tell the public the truth about someone or something dishonest.

    to reveal the true, often dishonest or harmful, nature of a person or situation.

    Example

    The newspaper article exposed the company's plan to dump waste in the river.

    Example

    The investigative report exposed a systemic failure within the regulatory body, leading to immediate calls for legislative reform.
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  1. 3 to introduce to something (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to give someone the chance to experience or learn about something new.

    to bring someone into contact with a particular subject, idea, or experience.

    Example

    The school trip exposed the students to many different types of modern art.

    Example

    Studying abroad for a year exposed her to diverse cultural perspectives that fundamentally altered her approach to international law.
  2. 4 contact with something harmful (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    to put someone in a situation where they are not protected from something dangerous.

    to subject someone or something to a harmful action, substance, or influence.

    Example

    You should not expose your skin to the sun for too long without protection.

    Example

    The laboratory study aimed to determine how long the bacteria could survive when exposed to extreme ultraviolet radiation.
  3. 5 photography (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Photography

    to let light touch a piece of film to take a photo.

    to allow light to reach a light-sensitive surface, such as film or a digital sensor, for a specific duration.

    Example

    If you open the back of the camera, you will expose the film and ruin the pictures.

    Example

    The photographer chose to expose the frame for several minutes to capture the faint movement of the stars across the night sky.

  4. 6 computing (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    to make a part of a computer program available for other programs to use.

    to make specific functions, data, or interfaces accessible to other software components or external systems.

    Example

    The new update will expose more features to the users through the main menu.

    Example

    The API was designed to expose only the necessary data endpoints, ensuring that sensitive internal logic remained hidden from third-party developers.
Origin

From Middle English exposen, from Old French exposer (“to lay open, set forth”), from Latin expōnō (“set forth”), with contamination from poser (“to lay, place”). Doublet of expone and expound (via Old French espondre (“to set forth, explain”)), from the same Latin term.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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