reveal
to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret
He was jailed for revealing secrets to the Russians.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
reveal
verb (reveals, revealing, revealed )
to tell something that was a secret or show something that was hidden:
She refused to reveal any names to the police.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
reveal
re‧veal W1 AC /rɪˈviːl/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: ↑revealing, ↑revelatory; verb: ↑reveal; noun: ↑revelation; adverb: ↑revealingly]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: reveler, from Latin revelare 'to uncover', from velum; ⇨ ↑veil1]
1. to make known something that was previously secret or unknown OPP conceal:
He may be prosecuted for revealing secrets about the security agency.
a test that can reveal a teacher’s hidden skills
reveal (that)
He revealed that he had been in prison twice before.
reveal yourself (as/to be something)
The violinist revealed himself as a talented interpreter of classical music.
2. to show something that was previously hidden OPP conceal:
The curtain opened to reveal the grand prize.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ reveal to let someone know about something that is secret or has not been known until now: Doctors are not allowed to reveal confidential information. | It was revealed that he had smoked marijuana at college.
▪ tell to talk about something to someone, so that they know about it: Don’t tell anyone about this just yet. | Shall I tell you a secret?
▪ disclose formal to publicly reveal something such as a fact or a name that has been kept secret: The terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed. | The agent did not disclose that there had been a violent crime in the house.
▪ divulge \daɪˈvʌldʒ, də-\ formal to reveal important or personal information which was previously secret or unknown: The bank has refused to divulge its plans. | I’m afraid I cannot divulge what was said to me.
▪ make something public to tell people about important information, especially after it has been kept secret: Apparently they were engaged for some time before making it public. | The government has agreed that sources of financing should in future be made public.
▪ leak to deliberately give secret information to a newspaper, television company etc, when a government or other organization wants to keep it secret: The contents of the email were leaked to the press. | A man was charged today with leaking official secrets.
▪ give something away (also spill the beans informal) to tell someone something that you want to keep secret: He was careful not to give away any trade secrets. | I’m not going to give away how much I paid for it!
▪ let slip informal to accidentally tell someone about something: He let slip that he was envious of his older brother.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
reveal / rɪˈviːl / verb [ T ]
B2 to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret:
He was jailed for revealing secrets to the Russians.
[ + that ] Her biography revealed that she was not as rich as everyone thought.
[ + question word ] He would not reveal wh ere he had hidden her chocolate eggs.
C2 to allow something to be seen that, until then, had been hidden:
A gap in the clouds revealed the Atlantic far below.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
reveal
[rɪvi͟ːl]
♦♦
reveals, revealing, revealed
1) VERB To reveal something means to make people aware of it.
[V n] She has refused to reveal the whereabouts of her daughter...
[V that] A survey of the British diet has revealed that a growing number of people are overweight...
[it be V-ed that] After the fire, it was revealed that North Carolina officials had never inspected the factory...
[V wh] No test will reveal how much of the drug was taken. [Also be V-ed as n]
2) VERB If you reveal something that has been out of sight, you uncover it so that people can see it.
[V n] In the principal room, a grey carpet was removed to reveal the original pine floor.
Syn:
show
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
reveal
re·veal /rɪˈviːl/ verb -veals; -vealed; -veal·ing [+ obj]
1 a : to make (something) known
• 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.
- opposite conceal
b : to show or prove that (someone) is a particular type of person - often + to be
• The book reveals him to be an expert at chess.
• She revealed herself to be a talented pianist.
- often + as
• She revealed the reporter as a liar.
2 : to show (something) plainly or clearly : to make (something that was hidden) able to be seen
• 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.
- opposite conceal
