unveil

unveil — verb

1. At a formal event to open a new structure or artwork, a person removes a cloth o

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

At a formal event to open a new structure or artwork, a person removes a cloth or curtain so that people can see the item, which was hidden from view until that moment.

Example

The mayor unveiled the war hero's bronze statue in the town square last Saturday.

unveil + direct object (statue / memorial / painting) at ceremony

A large crowd gathered to watch the artist unveil her painting at the gallery opening.

Common collocations
  • unveil a statue
  • unveil a memorial
  • unveil a painting
  • unveil a plaque
  • unveil a monument
Synonyms
  • reveal

    more general — can be ceremonial or casual; 'unveil' always suggests a formal first showing

  • uncover

    broader in use; lacks the ceremonial and public-first-time sense of 'unveil'

  • show

    more neutral and everyday; 'unveil' adds drama and ceremony

Antonyms
  • cover

    the reversed action — to place a covering over something

  • conceal

    to keep something hidden from view

Grammar Patterns

unveil + noun phrase (statue, memorial, painting, plaque)

Usage Note

While 'unveil' literally means to remove a cover, this sense is restricted to formal ceremonial contexts. For everyday uncovering (e.g., taking a sheet off a sofa), use 'uncover' or 'remove the cover from' instead.

Common Mistakes

I unveiled the birthday cake from the box.
I took the birthday cake out of the box.
'unveil' is only used for ceremonial or formal uncovering, not everyday actions.

2. To present a newly developed product, plan, or policy to the public as part of a

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To present a newly developed product, plan, or policy to the public as part of a press event or official announcement.

Example

The car company unveiled its new electric model at the international auto show in Tokyo.

unveil + new product (model / app / collection) at event

Padma and her team unveiled their navigation app to investors after months of quiet development.

Common collocations
  • unveil a plan
  • unveil a product
  • unveil a design
  • unveil a proposal
  • unveil a strategy
  • unveil a collection
Synonyms
  • announce

    the most general term for telling people something; 'unveil' adds a sense of drama and first-time presentation

  • launch

    focuses on putting a product or service into active use; 'unveil' is the first showing, which may happen before the launch

  • introduce

    softer and less ceremonial than 'unveil'; can be used for presenting a person or an idea to a group

  • disclose

    formal and often implies revealing something previously kept secret; 'unveil' is more about a planned public showing

Antonyms
  • conceal

    to keep something hidden or unknown

  • suppress

    to prevent information from becoming public

  • keep secret

    to intentionally not share new information

Grammar Patterns

unveil + noun phrase (plan, product, policy, design, proposal)

Usage Note

Common in business, technology, and government contexts. The direct object is always something new — a plan, product, policy, design, or strategy. Not used for revealing secrets, personal information, or everyday news (use 'reveal' or 'announce' instead).

Common Mistakes

She unveiled her sister's secret to the whole family.
She revealed her sister's secret to the whole family.
'unveil' is for official or public first-time announcements, not personal gossip or secrets.
The teacher unveiled the test results to the class.
The teacher announced the test results to the class.
'unveil' suggests a dramatic, planned first showing; test results are routine information.

Word family

  • unveiling
    nounB2
  • unveiled
    adjectiveB2
  • veil
    nounB1
  • veil
    verbB2
  • veiled
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

Unveil, announce, launch, reveal, and disclose all involve making something known, but each carries a distinct context and tone. Unveil suggests a dramatic first-time presentation, often at a planned event with an audience — the thing has been kept under wraps until this moment. Announce is the broadest term: it simply means telling people something, whether it is new or not, and works for any scale. Launch is specific to products, services, or campaigns — it implies the beginning of active use or sale, not just a one-time showing. Reveal focuses on exposing something previously hidden or unknown, and works for both official unveilings and personal secrets. Disclose is formal and often legal in tone, used for information that must be made known (e.g., financial details, conflicts of interest). For example: 'The company unveiled the new phone at a packed auditorium' — dramatic first showing; 'They announced the price on their website' — simple statement; 'She launched her online store last week' — start of operations.

announce ↗launch ↗reveal ↗disclose ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • at a press conference
  • in a formal ceremony
  • before an invited audience

Prepositions

  • at (a ceremony / an event)
  • in (front of an audience)
  • to (the public / investors)
  • during (the conference)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in English from the prefix un- (meaning 'to reverse an action') and veil (a piece of cloth that covers something). Veil comes from Old French 'veile', which traces back to Latin 'vela', the plural of 'velum' meaning 'covering, sail, or curtain'.