reveal

1 of 3

verb

re·​veal ri-ˈvēl 

revealed; revealing; reveals

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

revealable

ri-ˈvē-lə-bəl 

adjective

revealer noun

reveal

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural reveals

: the act or an instance of showing, revealing, or disclosing something (such as surprising information or a new product) for the first time

Last year, in the fall and holiday after the reveal of the iPhone 7, Apple sold 78.29 million phones.

—Eric Limer

… it's tough to discuss the final volume of the series without acknowledging some of the big reveals of its predecessors.

—David Kamp

The big end reveal isn't just a shock; it's deeply upsetting, an emotional gut-punch.

—Matt Prigge

That fact will eventually become evident, no doubt … . That is the art of the slow reveal.

—Peter J. Boyer

reveal

3 of 3

noun (2)

: the side of an opening (as for a window) between a frame and the outer surface of a wall

also : jamb

Synonyms

Verb

• bare
• disclose
• discover
• divulge
• expose
• let on (about)
• spill
• tell
• unbosom
• uncloak
• uncover
• unmask
• unveil

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of reveal in a Sentence

Verb

She would not reveal the secret.

The test revealed the true cause of death.

It was revealed that they stole over $1 million.

They revealed the plans for the new building.

The expression on his face revealed how he felt.

The curtain was lifted to reveal the grand prize.

Pulling up the carpeting revealed the home's beautiful hardwood floors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The No Secrets album, which headed the Billboard 200 for five weeks in early 1973, is a classic, from its revealing album cover (very provocative for 1972) to its no-skips lineup of songs. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 25 Dec. 2024

As the season closed, Kat returned to her time and said goodbye to a vision of Thomas, thinking that he had been shot dead, but then Jacob appeared and revealed that Thomas survived. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 25 Dec. 2024

Mary, the mother of Jesus, listened to the angel who revealed to her a different future full of hope for all people. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

The historic observation was made with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), and revealed magnetic field similarities with those surrounding the supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy M87. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English revelen, from Anglo-French reveler, from Latin revelare to uncover, reveal, from re- + velare to cover, veil, from velum veil

Noun (2)

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (1)

1952, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1786, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reveal

verb

re·​veal

ri-ˈvē(ə)l

1

: to make known : divulge

2

: to show plainly : display

revealer noun