conceal

/kənˈsiːl/ neutral to formal

Say it: kun-SEEL

1. verb To prevent something from being seen or known by others.
He tried to conceal the fact that he had been fired from his last job.
2. verb To hide a physical object from sight.
The magician skillfully concealed the coin in the palm of his hand.

📖 Seen in the wild

She tried to conceal her disappointment with a brave smile.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ conceal in a sentence

The dense fog completely concealed the coastline from view.
She could not conceal her delight when she saw the surprise party.
The report accused the company of deliberately concealing evidence of the chemical spill.
Under state law, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
The sunglasses concealed his eyes, making his expression impossible to read.
He concealed himself behind the curtain, hoping not to be found.
The loose-fitting jacket did little to conceal the bulky package he was carrying.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

hide disguise mask suppress obscure secrete withhold cover up

hide · a more common and general term, often less formal than conceal.

disguise · implies changing something's appearance to mislead or deceive.

mask · suggests covering something, especially an emotion or intention.

suppress · implies actively holding back information, a feeling, or a reaction.

Opposites: reveal, disclose, expose, unveil, display

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'conceal' traveled from Latin to English through French. It comes from the Latin 'concēlāre', which breaks down into 'con-' (meaning 'together' or 'completely') and 'cēlāre' (meaning 'to hide'). This core idea of thoroughly hiding something has remained central to its meaning for centuries.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

conceal a weaponconceal one's identityconceal the truthattempt to concealcleverly concealedbarely conceal

'Conceal' is a more formal and often stronger choice than its common synonym 'hide'. It frequently implies a deliberate and careful effort to keep something secret, and can carry a connotation of deceit, especially when the object is information, a crime, or true intentions. While you can 'hide' a birthday gift playfully, you would 'conceal' evidence from the police.

Word family: concealment, concealer

💬 Quick answers

What does 'conceal' mean?

To conceal something means to hide it or keep it secret, preventing it from being seen or known. It can apply to physical objects, information, or emotions.

What is the difference between 'conceal' and 'hide'?

'Conceal' is generally more formal than 'hide'. While both mean to keep something from view, 'conceal' often implies a more deliberate or systematic effort, sometimes with the intent to deceive.

Is 'conceal' a negative word?

It can have a negative connotation, especially in contexts like 'conceal the truth' or 'conceal a crime'. However, it can also be neutral, as in using makeup to 'conceal a blemish'.

What is a concealed weapon?

A concealed weapon is a firearm or other weapon that is carried on or near a person in a way that it is hidden from public view. Carrying one is often regulated by law.

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