Word
unveil
Phoneticsun·veil, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈveɪɫ/
UK/ʌnvˈeɪl/
Definitions
01to show for the first time
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to show a new product, plan, or piece of art to the public for the first time.
v. to formally present or introduce a new product, policy, or creative work to an audience.
“The company will unveil its new smartphone at the conference next week.”
“The tech giant is expected to unveil a suite of innovative software tools designed to streamline remote collaboration across global teams.”
02to remove a cover
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to remove a physical cover, like a cloth, from a new statue or painting.
v. to remove a physical veil or covering from an object as part of a formal ceremony.
“The mayor arrived to unveil the new statue in the town square.”
“During the gala, the artist was invited to unveil the portrait, which had been kept under a velvet cloth until the final toast.”
Antonyms
03to reveal a secret
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
v. to make a secret or a hidden plan known to others.
v. to disclose information or intentions that were previously kept private or confidential.
“The government finally decided to unveil the details of the new tax law.”
“The investigative report promised to unveil the systemic corruption that had plagued the department for over a decade.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unveil” in context.
Verb
01. formally unveil the monument
“The mayor will formally unveil the monument during the city's centennial celebration next month.”
adv + verb + noun
02. unveil a plan to reduce emissions
“The government unveiled a plan to reduce emissions by forty percent over the next decade.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. unveil that the company is expanding
“The CEO is expected to unveil that the company is expanding its operations into the European market.”
verb + that-clause
04. unveil the prototype at the trade show
“The tech giant chose to unveil the prototype at the international trade show in Las Vegas.”
verb + noun + prep + adj + noun
Adverb
05. finally unveil the long-awaited sequel
“After years of development hell, the studio will finally unveil the long-awaited sequel this Friday.”
adv + verb + noun
06. jointly unveil the new initiative
“The two non-profits will jointly unveil the new initiative to combat urban poverty.”
adv + verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“The government is due to unveil a strategy about preparing for national emergencies later this year.” “In a separate Newsmax interview, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also suggested that the US may unveil new economic measures to further damage Iran’s economy in the coming days.” Etymology
From Middle English *unveilen (suggested by past participle unveiled, vnueylyd (“unveiled”)). Equivalent to un- + veil. Ultimately from Latin velum (whence also English voile, English reveal, Russian вуа́ль (vuálʹ), Russian завуали́ровать (zavualírovatʹ) (compare typologically)). Also compare typologically uncloak, unmask, Russian разобла́чать (razobláčatʹ) (akin to облаче́ние (oblačénije)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
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