First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
conceal
verb con·ceal \kən-ˈsēl\
: to hide (something or someone) from sight
: to keep (something) secret
Full Definition of CONCEAL
transitive verb
1
: to prevent disclosure or recognition of <conceal the truth>
2
: to place out of sight <concealed himself behind the door>
— con·ceal·able \-ˈsē-lə-bəl\ adjective
— con·ceal·ing·ly \-ˈsē-liŋ-lē\ adverb
— con·ceal·ment \-ˈsēl-mənt\ noun
See conceal defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CONCEAL
Middle English concelen, from Anglo-French conceler, from Latin concelare, from com- + celare to hide — more at hell
Synonym Discussion of CONCEAL
hide, conceal, screen, secrete, bury mean to withhold or withdraw from sight. hide may or may not suggest intent <hide in the closet> <a house hidden in the woods>. conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge <concealed the weapon>. screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery <a house screened by trees>. secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others <secreted the amulet inside his shirt>. bury implies covering up so as to hide completely <buried the treasure>.
Rhymes with CONCEAL
aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, appeal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, congeal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, genteel, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, ideal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, reveal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel
CONCEALMENT Defined for Kids
conceal
verb con·ceal \kən-ˈsēl\
con·cealedcon·ceal·ing
Definition of CONCEAL for Kids
1
: to hide from sight <The safe was concealed behind a large painting.>
2
: to keep secret <He managed to conceal his true identity.>
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