reveal

To reveal something is to show it or provide information about it. Often, something that is revealed was once a secret or a mystery:

• The company intends to reveal its plans for expansion at today’s meeting.
• My friend, Tom, revealed some disturbing facts about his past.
• Please don’t reveal the ending of the movie before I watch it.
• The man finally revealed a family secret that only he knew.
• The name of the suspect in the crime will be revealed by the police later today. ("Reveal" is in the passive voice in this sentence.)
• The police will reveal the identity of the suspect. ("Reveal" is in the active voice in this sentence.)
• The clothing she’s wearing reveals too much skin. (She’s showing too much of her body.)

The words "revealing" and "revealed" are used as adjectives:

• She’s wearing very revealing clothing.
• The Speedos he’s wearing are a little too revealing.
• The statements he made about his past were very revealing. (This information explains the motivation for his actions.)
• The actress held back nothing in a revealing interview with the magazine.
• The revealed information suddenly made everyone nervous.

Note: The opposite of "reveal" is "conceal." A person who conceals something, hides it: Batman conceals his true identity.

Click here to learn more words.

This page was first published on December 20, 2013. It was updated on September 25, 2016.