First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1reveal
verb re·veal \ri-ˈvēl\
: to make (something) known
: to show or prove that (someone) is a particular type of person
: to show (something) plainly or clearly : to make (something that was hidden) able to be seen
Full Definition of REVEAL
transitive verb
1
: to make known through divine inspiration
2
: to make (something secret or hidden) publicly or generally known <reveal a secret>
3
: to open up to view : display <the uncurtained window revealed a cluttered room>
— re·veal·able \-ˈvē-lə-bəl\ adjective
— re·veal·er noun
See reveal defined for English-language learners
See reveal defined for kids
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Origin of REVEAL
Middle English revelen, from Anglo-French reveler, from Latin revelare to uncover, reveal, from re- + velare to cover, veil, from velum veil
Related to REVEAL
Synonym Discussion of REVEAL
reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed. reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason <divine will as revealed in sacred writings>. disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret <candidates must disclose their financial assets>. divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence <refused to divulge an anonymous source>. tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information <told them what he had overheard>. betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure <a blush that betrayed her embarrassment>.
Rhymes with REVEAL
aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, appeal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, conceal, congeal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, genteel, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, ideal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel
2reveal
noun
Definition of REVEAL
: the side of an opening (as for a window) between a frame and the outer surface of a wall; also : jamb
Origin of REVEAL
alteration of earlier revale, probably ultimately from Middle French ravaler to reduce the depth of (masonry or wood), literally, to take back down, from Old French, from re- + avaler to let fall — more at vail
First Known Use: 1688
REVEAL[1] Defined for Kids
reveal
verb re·veal \ri-ˈvēl\
re·vealedre·veal·ing
Definition of REVEAL for Kids
1
: to make known <“Secrecy about what?” “That I cannot reveal.” — Robert C. O'Brien, Rats of NIMH>
2
: to show clearly <The opened door revealed a messy room.>
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