veil

veil — noun

1. a piece of see-through or light fabric that a woman wears over her face or head,

1.nounB1
Definition

a piece of see-through or light fabric that a woman wears over her face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons

Example

Sumin wore a white veil over her face during the wedding ceremony.

collocation: wedding veil / bridal veil

In some cultures, the bride's veil is lifted by the groom after the marriage vows.

passive: lifted by [person] after [event]

Common collocations
  • bridal veil
  • lace veil
  • wedding veil
  • lift the veil
  • wear a veil
  • veil of black lace
Synonyms
  • headscarf

    worn to cover the hair, not the face

  • mantilla

    a Spanish-style lace veil worn over the head and shoulders

Common Mistakes

The robber wore a black veil over his face.
The robber wore a black mask over his face.
a veil is thin and semi-transparent, while a mask fully hides the face.

2. the state or way of life that comes from entering a convent and becoming a nun,

2.nounC1
Definition

the state or way of life that comes from entering a convent and becoming a nun, marked by the ceremony of taking the veil

Example

After ten years of prayer and service, Sister Eve finally took the veil.

fixed phrase: take the veil

The documentary follows three young women who decide to take the veil.

Common collocations
  • take the veil
Synonyms

Usage Note

Used only in the fixed phrase 'take the veil.' This sense is predominantly found in historical or religious contexts about Catholic and Anglican traditions.

3. the practice of a Muslim woman choosing to cover her head or face with a scarf o

3.nounB2
Definition

the practice of a Muslim woman choosing to cover her head or face with a scarf or similar garment as an expression of her faith

Example

Saira decided to adopt the veil after her pilgrimage to Mecca last year.

collocation: adopt the veil

Many schools in the region now allow girls to wear the veil if they choose.

Common collocations
  • adopt the veil
  • wear the veil
  • take the veil
Synonyms
  • hijab

    specifically a headscarf that covers the hair and neck, leaving the face visible

  • niqab

    a face veil that leaves only the eyes visible

  • burqa

    a full-body covering including a mesh screen over the eyes

Usage Note

In modern usage, more specific terms such as 'hijab,' 'niqab,' or 'burqa' are often preferred. 'Veil' is a broader, less precise term for Muslim head and face coverings.

Common Mistakes

She wore a veil to keep her head warm in winter.
She wore a beanie to keep her head warm in winter.
a veil is typically worn for religious or cultural reasons, not for warmth.

4. a thin layer of something such as fog, cloud, smoke, or dust that covers an area

4.nounB2
Definition

a thin layer of something such as fog, cloud, smoke, or dust that covers an area and makes it difficult to see through

Example

A light veil of mist covered the harbour, hiding the boats from view.

pattern: a veil of [fog/mist/smoke/dust]

The morning fog formed a soft veil over the rice fields in the valley.

Common collocations
  • veil of fog
  • veil of mist
  • veil of smoke
  • veil of dust
  • veil of cloud
Synonyms
  • layer

    neutral term without the obscuring connotation

  • haze

    specifically a light mist or smoke that blurs the view

  • screen

    something that separates or shields, often more solid

Grammar Patterns

a veil of + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used with natural phenomena (fog, mist, smoke, dust) in the pattern 'a veil of + noun.' Unlike sense 1, this does not refer to a piece of fabric but to any obscuring layer.

Common Mistakes

She pulled the veil across the window to block the sunlight.
She pulled the curtain across the window to block the sunlight.
a veil in this sense describes a natural layer, not a physical cloth hanging in a window.

5. something that hides the truth or stops people from understanding what is really

5.nounB2
Definition

something that hides the truth or stops people from understanding what is really happening in a situation

Example

The company's financial dealings were hidden behind a veil of secrecy for years.

collocation: veil of secrecy

The police tried to lift the veil of silence that surrounded the missing child's case.

collocation: lift the veil of [silence/mystery]

Common collocations
  • veil of secrecy
  • veil of silence
  • veil of mystery
  • lift the veil
  • behind a veil
  • pierce the veil
Synonyms
  • cloak

    suggests deliberate concealment, often of motives

  • shroud

    implies a heavier, more complete covering, often linked to death or mystery

  • mask

    a false appearance that hides true feelings or intentions

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a veil of + abstract noun

Usage Note

Common in the pattern 'a veil of + abstract noun' (secrecy, silence, mystery, ignorance). Unlike sense 4, which involves physical obscuring, this sense is about hiding information or truth.

6. to choose not to talk any further about a particular topic because it is embarra

6.nounC1
Definition

to choose not to talk any further about a particular topic because it is embarrassing, painful, or likely to cause disagreement

Example

After the argument, the family decided to draw a veil over what was said.

fixed phrase: draw a veil over [something]

Mark suggested they draw a veil over the incident and focus on the future instead.

Common collocations
  • draw a veil over
Synonyms
  • hush up

    informal, implies deliberately keeping something secret

  • gloss over

    to treat a problem as less serious than it is

  • sweep under the rug

    informal idiom, to hide a problem rather than deal with it

Antonyms
  • bring up

    to start discussing a topic

  • air

    to express opinions publicly about a sensitive matter

Grammar Patterns

draw a veil over + noun

Usage Note

Used only in the fixed phrase 'draw a veil over something.' This is a more formal, idiomatic way of saying 'stop discussing,' common in British English and often found in written or formal spoken contexts.

Common Mistakes

They drew a veil over the painting.
They drew a curtain over the painting.
'draw a veil over' is only used figuratively for stopping discussion, not for physically moving fabric.
Idioms

take the veil

idiom

To become a nun and join a religious community.

After years of prayer, Maria decided to take the veil.

Did your aunt really take the veil at the convent in Spain?

veil — verb

Word family

  • veiled
    adjectiveB2
  • unveil
    verbB2
  • unveiling
    nounC1
  • veiling
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words refer to something worn on the head or face, but they differ in material, purpose, and coverage. A 'veil' is typically a thin, semi-transparent piece of fabric worn over the face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial occasions — the face may be partly visible through it. A 'scarf' is a rectangular cloth worn around the neck or head for warmth or fashion, and it rarely covers the face. A 'mask' covers the face to hide identity, protect health, or serve as a costume, and it is usually opaque. A 'visor' is a rigid, curved shield attached to a hat or helmet that protects the eyes from the sun. A 'headscarf' covers the hair and is tied under the chin, leaving the face fully visible. For example: 'The bride wore a delicate lace veil over her face.' 'She wrapped a scarf around her neck before going outside.' 'The doctor put on a surgical mask before entering the room.'

veil ↗scarf ↗mask ↗visorheadscarf

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • lift the veil
  • draw a veil over
  • take the veil
  • behind a veil of
  • pierce the veil

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchAnglo-FrenchEnglish

The word 'veil' entered English in the 13th century through Anglo-French 'veile,' from Old French 'voile' (modern French 'voile'), meaning a curtain or covering cloth. This traces back to Latin 'vēlum,' which originally meant a sail, curtain, or sheet of cloth used for covering. The Latin 'vēlum' is related to 'vexillum' (a military flag or standard). The literal sense of a cloth covering for the head or face was the earliest meaning in English. By the 16th century, the word had developed figurative meanings describing anything that conceals, obscures, or hides something from view or understanding.