Unveil
verb Base: unveil | Past: unveiled | Past Participle: unveiled | -ing: unveiling | 3rd person: unveils
Definition
1. To remove a covering from something at a formal ceremony.
2. To publicly show or announce something new for the first time.
3. To reveal something that was hidden or secret.
2. To publicly show or announce something new for the first time.
3. To reveal something that was hidden or secret.
Context Alive
The crowd gathered outside the company headquarters, buzzing with excitement. After months of rumors, the CEO finally unveiled the brand-new product on a giant screen. Cameras flashed everywhere as people leaned forward to get a better look at what had been kept secret for so long.
Meanings
3 meanings 1 To Remove a Covering at a Formal Ceremony (Verb) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about physically removing a cover from something important during an official event. Imagine a crowd standing in a town square, waiting quietly. The mayor pulls a white cloth off a brand-new statue, and everyone starts clapping — this is unveiling. This is the act of revealing something by removing its covering. You might see a president unveil a memorial, or a school could invite someone to unveil a new building sign. Or picture an artist pulling a sheet off a sculpture at a gallery opening while guests watch in amazement. The word carries a sense of ceremony and importance. ✏️ This is almost always a formal, planned moment — you wouldn’t use unveil for casually removing a blanket from your sofa.
Vivid ExampleHundreds of people filled the park for the ceremony. When the mayor stepped forward and unveiled the bronze statue of the city’s founder, the crowd erupted in applause. It was a proud moment that many had been waiting years to see.
2 To Publicly Announce Something New for the First Time (Verb) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about showing or presenting something new to the public. Imagine a tech company holding a big event — the lights go dim, music plays, and the CEO walks on stage to unveil their latest phone. Everyone’s been guessing what it looks like for months. This is presenting something new that people haven’t seen before. You might hear “the government unveiled a new education policy” or “the brand unveiled its spring collection at fashion week.” Or think about a car company unveiling a concept car at an international auto show. The word suggests a big, exciting reveal. ✏️ This is the most common meaning today — you’ll hear it constantly in news about products, plans, and policies.
Vivid ExampleThe tech world had been waiting for this moment all year. When the company finally unveiled its new laptop design, social media exploded with reactions. Some loved the bold new look while others missed the classic style.
3 To Reveal Something Hidden or Secret (Verb) Common ▼
This meaning is about bringing hidden information or truth to light. Imagine a journalist spending months investigating a company, digging through documents and interviewing insiders. When she finally publishes her story, she unveils a web of corruption that nobody knew about. This is revealing something that was deliberately kept secret. You might read that “the investigation unveiled shocking details” or “new evidence unveiled the truth behind the scandal.” Or picture a documentary that unveils the real story behind a famous historical event. The word suggests uncovering something significant and surprising. ✏️ Unlike “reveal,” unveil feels more dramatic — it implies something was deliberately covered up and is now being exposed.
Vivid ExampleThe reporter had been working on the story for over a year. Her final article unveiled a network of fraud that reached the highest levels of the organization. Within days, three senior executives had already resigned.
Examples from the Street
“Apple unveiled their new iPhone at the event yesterday.”
Apple showed their new phone to the public for the first time
“The council unveiled plans for a new sports centre.”
The local government revealed their proposal for a new facility
“She finally unveiled her secret project — and everyone was blown away.”
She showed people what she’d been secretly working on — and they were amazed
Common Patterns
unveil a plan/proposal/strategy → officially announce or present a plan for the first time
unveil a product/model/design → show a new product to the public for the first time
unveil details of something → release specific information that was previously kept secret
set to unveil / expected to unveil → scheduled or anticipated to reveal something soon
officially unveil something → present something in a formal, public way
unveil something at (an event/conference) → reveal something during a specific occasion
unveil a statue/monument/plaque → remove a cloth covering in a formal ceremony to show it for the first time
unveil a portrait/painting → reveal a work of art by removing its cover at a ceremony
unveil the truth → reveal the real facts that were hidden or unknown
unveil a secret/mystery → make something previously hidden known
finally unveil something → reveal something after a long wait or period of secrecy
Collocations
3 collocationsunveil a plan
publicly reveal a new strategy
unveil a product
officially show a new item for the first time
unveil the truth
reveal facts that were hidden
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The company is set to unveil its latest electric car at the motor show next week
The manufacturer is expected to show the public its newest battery-powered vehicle at the exhibition in a few days.
2
The government unveiled a plan to invest billions in renewable energy over the next decade
The authorities announced a programme to spend enormous sums on clean power sources during the coming ten years.
3
They unveiled details of the merger after months of speculation in the press
They released the specifics of the two companies joining together after weeks of guesswork in the media.
4
The mayor officially unveiled the new memorial in a ceremony attended by hundreds
The city leader formally presented the new tribute at a public event where a large crowd gathered.
5
Samsung unveiled its product at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
The technology firm showed its new device for the first time at the major trade fair in the American city.
6
The artist unveiled a portrait of the former headteacher at the school’s anniversary celebration
The painter revealed a picture of the previous principal during the institution’s special birthday event.
7
After years of research, the scientists finally unveiled their findings to the academic community
Following a long period of investigation, the researchers at last presented their results to fellow scholars.
8
The investigation unveiled the truth about what had really happened that night
The inquiry brought to light the real facts about the actual events of that evening.
9
The designer unveiled a completely new collection that took the fashion world by surprise
The creator presented an entirely fresh range of clothing that shocked the style industry.
10
The museum unveiled a statue of the city’s founder in the main entrance hall
The gallery removed the covering from a sculpture of the person who established the town, displayed in the central lobby.
Learner Examples
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The school unveiled a plan to introduce conversation-based English classes for all year groups starting in September
The institution announced a programme to launch speaking-focused language lessons for every age group beginning in the autumn term.
★
Students finally unveiled their group projects at the end-of-year presentation evening — and the teachers were genuinely impressed
Learners at last showed what they had been working on together at the closing ceremony — and the staff were truly taken aback by the quality.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
0 items
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsreveal
show for the first time
uncover
remove a cover
introduce
present something new
launch
officially release
Antonymsconceal
keep hidden
hide
not show