ENGLISH
REFERENCE

reveal

v. · n.
US //ɹiˈviɫ// UK //ɹɪvˈiːl// re·veal
  1. 1 to show something hidden (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to let something be seen that was hidden before.

    to uncover or display something that was previously obscured from view. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    The magician pulled back the cloth to reveal an empty cage.

    Example

    As the morning mist cleared, the rising sun began to reveal the jagged peaks of the mountain range that had been hidden all night.
  2. 2 to share a secret (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to tell people a piece of information that was a secret.

    to make previously unknown information public or known to others. Often used in academic or journalistic contexts regarding data or investigations.

    Example

    The company will reveal its new smartphone design at the conference tomorrow.

    Example

    The study revealed a significant correlation between sleep quality and cognitive performance in older adults, challenging previous assumptions in the field.
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  1. 3 a surprise discovery (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    the moment when something hidden is finally shown to people.

    the final disclosure of information or the physical uncovering of a project, often for dramatic effect.

    Example

    The big reveal at the end of the movie shocked the entire audience.

    Example

    After months of renovation, the grand reveal of the hotel lobby exceeded the expectations of the investors and the local press alike.
  2. 4 window or door frame (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    the part of a wall that shows around a window or door frame.

    the side of an opening for a window or door between the frame and the outer surface of the wall.

    Example

    The architect chose to paint the window reveal a different colour to add depth.

    Example

    The deep reveals of the cathedral windows create dramatic shadows that change throughout the afternoon.
    • jamb
Origin

From Middle English revēlen, from Old French reveler, from Latin revēlāre (“to reveal, uncover”), from re- (“back, again”) + vēlāre (“to cover”), from vēlum (“a cloth, covering, curtain, veil, awning, sail”) (whence also English veil, English unveil, English voile, Russian вуаль (vualʹ), Russian завуали́ровать (zavualírovatʹ, “to veil”) (compare typologically)). Also compare typologically English uncloak, dismantle, divest, invest, unmask, Russian разобла́чать (razobláčatʹ) (akin to облаче́ние (oblačénije), срыва́ть покро́вы (sryvátʹ pokróvy) (покро́в (pokróv, “cover, covering”)).

Word family

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