Word
hiding
Phoneticshid·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
UK/hˈaɪdɪŋ/
In Japanese
concealment; hiding; ambush
容疑者は三週間山に潜伏していた。
The suspect was hiding out in the mountains for three weeks. Tatoeba
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR. All sources.
Definitions
01state of concealment
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of staying out of sight so that people cannot find you.
n. the state of being hidden or in concealment. Often used in the phrase 'in hiding'.
“The famous writer went into hiding after the scandal broke.”
“The political dissident remained in hiding for several months, moving between safe houses to avoid detection by the authorities.”
Usage
Commonly follows the prepositions 'in' or 'into'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a physical beating
C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English · Informal
n. a physical punishment where someone is hit many times.
n. a severe physical beating or thrashing, typically as a form of corporal punishment.
“The boy was worried he would get a hiding for breaking the window.”
“In those days, children expected a sound hiding if they were caught stealing apples from the neighbour's orchard.”
Teaching tip
This sense is primarily British and feels quite old-fashioned or rural; it is rarely used in modern professional contexts.
03a place to hide
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a place where you can stay without being seen.
n. a physical location used for concealment.
“The children found a perfect hiding place behind the old oak tree.”
“The detective discovered a secret hiding spot beneath the floorboards where the stolen documents had been kept.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“He found better hiding spots: old bags in the wardrobe, empty cleaning-product bottles, the recycling bin.” “When Liverpool’s team bus turns a tight corner and inches down the narrow, covered, access road behind Newcastle’s Milburn Stand on Sunday, Alexander Isak will know there are no hiding places.” Etymology
See hide (Etymology 1)
See hide (Etymology 2)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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