reveal
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to let something be seen that was hidden before.
v.to uncover or display something that was previously obscured from view. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“The magician pulled back the cloth to reveal an empty cage.”
In context“As the morning mist cleared, the rising sun began to reveal the jagged peaks of the mountain range that had been hidden all night.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to tell people a piece of information that was a secret.
v.to make previously unknown information public or known to others. Often used in academic or journalistic contexts regarding data or investigations.
Simple“The company will reveal its new smartphone design at the conference tomorrow.”
In context“The study revealed a significant correlation between sleep quality and cognitive performance in older adults, challenging previous assumptions in the field.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the moment when something hidden is finally shown to people.
n.the final disclosure of information or the physical uncovering of a project, often for dramatic effect.
Simple“The big reveal at the end of the movie shocked the entire audience.”
In context“After months of renovation, the grand reveal of the hotel lobby exceeded the expectations of the investors and the local press alike.”
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.the part of a wall that shows around a window or door frame.
n.the side of an opening for a window or door between the frame and the outer surface of the wall.
Simple“The architect chose to paint the window reveal a different colour to add depth.”
In context“The deep reveals of the cathedral windows create dramatic shadows that change throughout the afternoon.”
Synonymsjamb
Usage reveal new · analysis reveal · clearly reveal
“The Irish Independent reveals the Government is set to go ahead with an increase in fuel prices in September.”
“Cat, Linda and Razzell's daughter, said her father's decision not to reveal the location of her mother's body meant there was "no peace" for the family.”
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”)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.