unveil
gb/ʌnvˈeɪl/ us/ʌnvˈeɪl/
B2
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
formally reveal or announce
to show or tell people about something new for the first time, usually in a formal way
Usage pattern:
to unveil [something] to [people/the public]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *unveil* for everyday small things where *show* or *tell* is more natural (e.g., saying *She unveiled her new haircut to her friends* can sound too formal or dramatic). *Unveil* is usually used for official, public, or newsworthy things like products, plans, policies, or artworks.
Synonyms
reveal (More general; does not always suggest a public or formal presentation.)
|
announce (Focuses on giving information in words, not on visually showing something.)
|
launch (Common for new products or services; emphasizes starting to sell or use, not just showing.)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to keep something hidden or secret instead of making it known.)
|
withhold (Emphasizes deliberately not giving information to the public.)
Collocations
unveil a plan
|unveil a policy
|unveil a new product
|unveil a strategy
|unveil a report
|unveil a campaign
Themes
business
|media
|politics
|art
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company will unveil its new smartphone at next week's tech conference.
- The government is set to unveil a series of measures to support small businesses.
- The museum plans to unveil the painting at a private event for donors.
- The startup unveiled its long-awaited app in a live online presentation.
- City officials unveiled a detailed strategy to cut carbon emissions by 2030.
Learner examples
- The artist will unveil his new work tomorrow.
- They unveiled a new logo at the meeting.
- The mayor unveiled a plan to improve the roads.
- The company unveiled a cheap phone for students.
- The school unveiled a program to help new teachers.
Verb
C1
action
2
remove cover to show something
to take off a cloth or cover so people can see what is under it
Usage pattern:
to unveil [object/statue/person]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with taking off normal clothes, where *take off* or *undress* is more natural (e.g., *He unveiled his jacket* is incorrect; say *He took off his jacket*). *Unveil* is used when a special cover or veil is removed to present something.
Synonyms
uncover (Very close in meaning; slightly more general and less associated with formal ceremonies.)
|
draw back the curtain (More specific image; used especially with curtains rather than veils or cloths.)
Antonyms
cover (Means to put something over an object so it cannot be seen.)
|
veil (Means to place a veil or covering over something, the opposite physical action of unveiling.)
Collocations
unveil a statue
|unveil a memorial
|unveil a plaque
|unveil the bride
|unveil the painting
Themes
ceremony
|culture
|art
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The mayor unveiled the statue by pulling away the velvet cloth.
- During the ceremony, the family unveiled a plaque in honor of the victims.
- At midnight, they unveiled the painting that had been kept hidden all week.
- The curator unveiled the ancient artifact in front of the cameras.
- With a smile, she unveiled the sculpture she had been working on for years.
Learner examples
- They unveiled the new statue in the park.
- The cloth was removed to unveil the memorial.
- The artist unveiled the small model on the table.
- At the wedding, they unveiled the bride's face.
- The teacher unveiled the map by pulling off the cover.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unveil
IPA
GB/ʌnvˈeɪl/
US/ʌnvˈeɪl/
Syllables & stress
un - veil (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (veil)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: unveil
- 3rd Person Singular: unveils
- Present Participle: unveiling
- Past: unveiled
Word family
Forms
unveils
verb
unveiling
verb
unveiled
verb
Core family
veil
noun A2
Related words
veiled
adjective
veiling
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.