reveal
gb/ɹɪvˈil/ us/ɹɪvˈil/
B1
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
make known or visible
To tell or show something that was secret or hidden.
Usage pattern:
to reveal [something] to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reveal' with 'show'; 'show' can mean simply present something visually, while 'reveal' implies it was hidden or unknown before.
Synonyms
disclose (Slightly more formal; often used in legal, business, or official contexts.)
|
uncover (Implies finding something hidden, often in investigative contexts.)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to keep something hidden or secret, the direct opposite of revealing.)
Collocations
reveal the truth
|reveal details
|reveal a secret
|reveal evidence
|reveal information
Themes
communication
|daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company refused to reveal the names of its investors.
- She finally revealed the reason for her sudden departure.
- The magician revealed the trick to the audience.
- The report revealed several serious problems with the project.
Learner examples
- He revealed the answer to the question.
- The teacher revealed the test results.
- She revealed her plan to her friend.
- The police revealed the name of the suspect.
Verb
B1
action
2
expose to view
To make something that was covered able to be seen.
Usage pattern:
to reveal [something]
Synonyms
unveil (Often used for formal presentations of new products, works of art, etc.)
|
expose (Can imply making visible in a neutral or negative sense.)
Antonyms
cover (Means to put something over an object so it cannot be seen.)
Collocations
reveal a painting
|reveal a new product
|reveal a statue
|reveal a design
Themes
daily life
|visual
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They pulled back the curtain to reveal the stage.
- The clouds parted to reveal a bright blue sky.
- The archaeologists carefully brushed away dirt to reveal the ancient carving.
Learner examples
- He opened the box to reveal a gold ring.
- The clouds moved to reveal the moon.
- She took off the cloth to reveal the cake.
Noun
B2
event
3
act of making known
A time when someone shows or tells something that was secret.
Synonyms
disclosure (Slightly more formal; often used for official or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
concealment (The act of keeping something secret or hidden.)
Collocations
dramatic reveal
|surprise reveal
|plot reveal
Themes
communication
|media
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The final episode included a shocking reveal about the main character.
- The party featured a big gender reveal for the baby.
- There was an awkward reveal during the meeting when the mistake was announced.
Learner examples
- The movie had a big reveal at the end.
- The birthday party had a surprise reveal.
- The game show ended with a big reveal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reveal
IPA
GB/ɹɪvˈil/
US/ɹɪvˈil/
Syllables & stress
re - veal (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (veal)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: reveal
- 3rd Person Singular: reveals
- Present Participle: revealing
- Past: revealed
Word family
Forms
reveals
verb
revealing
verb
revealed
verb
Core family
revelation
noun B2
Related words
revealingly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
revelatory
adjective C1
Expressions
big reveal
1/bˈɪɡ ɹɪvˈil/
fixed phrase
informal
important surprising disclosure
A moment when something important and surprising is shown or told.
Examples
- In the big reveal, the winner was announced.
- The designer saved her best dress for the big reveal at the end of the show.
gender reveal
1/d͡ʒˈɛndɚ ɹɪvˈil/
fixed phrase
event announcing baby's sex
A party or event where parents tell if their unborn baby is a boy or girl.
Examples
- They planned a gender reveal with pink and blue balloons.
- The gender reveal surprised everyone when blue confetti came out.
reveal all
1/ɹɪvˈil ˈɔl/
fixed phrase
informal
tell everything secret
To tell all the facts about something that was secret.
Examples
- Under pressure, he decided to reveal all about the incident.
- She promised she would reveal all in her memoir.