reveal
To show or tell something that was hidden.
reveal in a sentence
- She pulled back the curtain to reveal a garden full of sunflowers.
- The magician refused to reveal how the trick was done, however much we begged.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to reveal?
- Ahide
- Bconceal
- Cshow
Show the answer
C: show. The other three mean the opposite of reveal.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to reveal?
- Aexpose
- Bhide
- Cuncover
- Dshow
Show the answer
B: hide. The other three mean nearly the same as reveal.
Words that mean something similar
show, uncover, expose
Words that mean the opposite
hide, conceal
Careful: reveal is not divulge
Divulge is only ever telling a secret. Reveal can be telling or showing. Read why children mix them up.
More words about speech & sound
- sarcastic: Saying the opposite of what you mean to make fun of someone.
- scold: To tell someone off angrily for doing something wrong.
- shriek: To give a sudden loud high scream; or the scream itself.
- shrill: So high and piercing that it hurts your ears.
- squabble: To argue noisily about something small and unimportant.
- stammer: To speak with pauses and repeated sounds, finding it hard to get words out.
- summarise: To give the main points of something in a short way.
- summon: To officially call someone to come to you.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test