Reveal meaning, definition, and synonyms

Reveal is a verb meaning to make something known, show something that was hidden, or let something become visible. It can also be used in a religious sense for making divine knowledge known.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /rɪˈviːl/

Easy pronunciation: rih-VEEL (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the second syllable.

Verb: to make known information that was previously hidden or secret.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Reveal Meaning

to tell or show something secret or previously unknown

Part of speech: verb

Definition: make known information that was previously hidden, private, or secret

Example: The actress refused to reveal her age.

Synonyms for this meaning:

disclose — A direct substitute when talking about sharing hidden information.
divulge — Works well for giving out secret information.
expose — Can fit when secret facts are brought into public view.
uncover — Works when hidden information is brought to light.
let out — Common informal phrase for accidentally or unwillingly revealing something.
give away — Often used when a secret is accidentally revealed.
let on — Informal phrase meaning to reveal a secret or hint at it.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Reveal

Meaning 2

to show something that was hidden

Part of speech: verb

Definition: make visible by removing what hides something

Example: She revealed the painting by pulling back the curtain.

Synonyms for this meaning:

unveil — A strong synonym when something is uncovered or shown for the first time.
bring out — Can work when something is made visible or comes into view.

Meaning 3

to make a divine truth or plan known

Part of speech: verb

Definition: disclose directly or through divine communication or prophecy

Example: The passage says God revealed his plans to the prophet.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Reveal Synonyms

Similar Meaning

disclose
divulge
expose
uncover
let out
give away
let on

make visible by removing what hides something

unveil
bring out

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Using reveal to mean 'discover' or 'find out' instead of 'make known' or 'make visible'.
Mixing the 'show something hidden' sense with the 'tell a secret' sense.
Assuming every synonym for reveal works in every context.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does reveal mean?

Reveal means to make something known or to show something that was hidden.

What is a simple synonym for reveal?

A simple synonym is disclose, though the best synonym depends on the sense.

Can reveal mean to make something visible?

Yes. It can mean to uncover something so it can be seen.

Is reveal used in religious language?

Yes. It can mean to make a divine truth or plan known, often through prophecy.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.