Conceal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kən-ˈsēl/ con·ceal

Meaning & Definition of Conceal

Conceal (verb)

  1. to prevent disclosure or recognition of
  2. to place out of sight

Conceal (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to put into a hiding place

    "wisely concealed the documents in a drawer beneath a false bottom"

    similar: bury, cache, ensconce, hide, secrete
    related: hoard, squirrel (away), stash, entomb, inter
    opposite: display, exhibit
    near: bare, expose, reveal, show, uncover, unmask, unveil, unwrap, flaunt, parade, show off, disinter, unearth

  2. to keep secret or shut off from view

    "the defense attorney accused the prosecutor of trying to conceal exculpatory evidence"

    similar: belie, blanket, blot out, cloak, cover, curtain, disguise, enshroud, hide, mask, obscure, occult, paper over, screen, shroud, suppress, veil
    related: bury, camouflage, cover (up), smother, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, block, cloud, darken, eclipse, obstruct, occlude, overcast, overshadow, shade
    opposite: bare, disclose, display, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil
    near: bring out, present, clarify, illuminate, advertise, air, broadcast, get out, proclaim, publicize, publish, spread

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Conceal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Conceal:

bury, cache, ensconce, hide, secrete, belie, blanket, blot out, cloak, cover, curtain, disguise, enshroud, mask, obscure, occult, paper over, screen, shroud, suppress, veil

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Conceal

Words with the opposite meaning of Conceal:

display, exhibit, bare, disclose, divulge, expose, reveal, show, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil

Related Words for Conceal

hoard, squirrel (away), stash, entomb, inter, camouflage, cover (up), smother, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, block, cloud, darken, eclipse, obstruct, occlude, overcast, overshadow, shade

Near Antonyms of Conceal

unwrap, flaunt, parade, show off, disinter, unearth, bring out, present, clarify, illuminate, advertise, air, broadcast, get out, proclaim, publicize, publish, spread

Word Forms of Conceal

Inflections: concealed, concealing, conceals

Derived words: concealable (adjective), concealingly (adverb), concealment (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Conceal

Middle English concelen, borrowed from Anglo-French conceler, borrowed from Latin concēlāre, from con- con- + cēlāre "to hide, keep secret," probably derivative of an unattested lengthened-grade noun formed from the Indo-European verb base *ḱel- "cover, conceal," whence Latin occulere "to hide from view, keep secret" (from *ob-cel-), Old Irish ceilid "(s/he) hides," Welsh celaf "(I) hide," Germanic *hel-a- "hide" (whence Old English, Old Saxon & Old High German helan "to hide, keep secret")

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Conceal

Frequently Asked Questions about Conceal

What does "Conceal" mean?

"Conceal" means to prevent disclosure or recognition of. As a verb, it is defined as: to prevent disclosure or recognition of. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Conceal"?

Other words for "Conceal" include bury, cache, ensconce, hide, secrete, belie, blanket and blot out. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Conceal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Conceal"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Conceal". Common alternatives include bury, cache, ensconce, hide, secrete, belie, blanket, blot out, cloak and cover.

What is the opposite of "Conceal"?

Antonyms of "Conceal" include display, exhibit, bare, disclose, divulge, expose, reveal and show. Near antonyms include unwrap, flaunt, parade and show off.

How do you use "Conceal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Conceal" in a sentence: "wisely concealed the documents in a drawer beneath a false bottom"; "the defense attorney accused the prosecutor of trying to conceal exculpatory evidence".

Is "Conceal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Conceal" is a verb.

Is "Conceal" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Conceal" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Conceal"?

"Conceal" is pronounced /kən-ˈsēl/ and divided into syllables as con·ceal.