conceal
gb/kənsˈil/ us/kənsˈil/
B2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
To hide from sight or awareness
To hide something so people cannot see or know about it.
Usage pattern:
to conceal [something] [from someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'conceal' with 'seal'. 'Seal' means to close something tightly, not to hide it.
Synonyms
hide (More common and general; can refer to physical or abstract things.)
|
cover up (Often implies intentional secrecy, especially about wrongdoing.)
Antonyms
reveal (Means to make something known or visible.)
|
expose (Means to uncover or make visible, often suddenly.)
Collocations
conceal a weapon
|conceal the truth
|conceal evidence
|conceal emotions
Themes
daily life
|crime
|security
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- She tried to conceal the letter in her bag.
- The suspect concealed the weapon under his coat.
- He concealed his disappointment with a smile.
- The painting was concealed behind a curtain during the renovation.
Learner examples
- I conceal my money in a safe place.
- He concealed the gift under the bed.
- She concealed her face with a scarf.
- They concealed the box in the closet.
Grammar
Dictionary form
conceal
IPA
GB/kənsˈil/
US/kənsˈil/
Syllables & stress
con - ceal (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ceal)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: conceal
- 3rd Person Singular: conceals
- Present Participle: concealing
- Past: concealed
Word family
Forms
conceals
verb
concealing
verb
concealed
verb
Core family
concealment
noun B2
Related words
concealer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unconcealed
adjective
Advanced or less common
concealable
adjective
Expressions
conceal a weapon
1/kənsˈil ə wˈɛpən/
fixed phrase
Hide a weapon so it cannot be seen
To keep a weapon where people cannot see it.
Examples
- It is illegal to conceal a weapon without a permit.
- He concealed a weapon in his jacket pocket.
conceal one's identity
1/kənsˈil wˈʌnz aɪdˈɛntɪti/
fixed phrase
Hide who someone really is
To keep other people from knowing who you are.
Examples
- The spy concealed his identity with a fake passport.
- She wore sunglasses to conceal her identity from the media.
conceal the truth
1/kənsˈil ðə tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
Hide real facts from others
Not tell people the real facts.
Examples
- The company tried to conceal the truth about the accident.
- He concealed the truth from his parents to avoid trouble.