conceal
B2Formal to neutral. More formal than 'hide'.
Definition
Meaning
To deliberately hide something or someone from sight or knowledge.
To keep something secret; to prevent something from being seen, known, or discovered. It implies an intentional act of covering up or obscuring.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate, active effort to keep something secret or out of view. Can carry a nuance of deception or shame, but not always. The object is typically the thing being hidden, not the place where it is hidden.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in both varieties compared to 'hide'.
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in both varieties, though 'hide' is more common in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
conceal somethingconceal something from somebodyconceal the fact that...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “conceal one's light under a bushel (to hide one's talents)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used regarding hidden costs, concealed liabilities, or concealing information in negotiations.
Academic
Used in literature (concealed motives), history (concealed alliances), or science (concealed variables).
Everyday
Used for hiding feelings, a surprise gift, or a minor truth.
Technical
Used in law (concealing evidence), security (concealed cameras), or military (concealed positions).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tried to conceal his disappointment with a weak smile.
- The documents were concealed behind a false panel in the library.
American English
- She couldn't conceal her excitement about the promotion.
- The vehicle had a compartment specially designed to conceal contraband.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The adverb 'concealedly' is extremely rare and not standard).
American English
- N/A (The adverb 'concealedly' is extremely rare and not standard).
adjective
British English
- The room had a concealed lighting system.
- He spoke with concealed anger.
American English
- The report listed several concealed fees.
- She made a concealed entrance at the back of the stage.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He concealed the present behind his back.
- The cat is concealed under the bed.
- She wore sunglasses to conceal her eyes.
- It is illegal to conceal important information from the police.
- The government was accused of attempting to conceal the true scale of the problem.
- His cheerful manner concealed a deep anxiety.
- The artist's work often conceals complex political commentary beneath a veneer of pop imagery.
- Phylogenetic analysis can reveal relationships that morphological similarities had long concealed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CON who SEALS his lips to CONCEAL the secret.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING / IGNORANCE IS DARKNESS (to conceal is to prevent 'seeing' the truth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'concede' (уступать).
- The Russian verb 'скрывать' is a close equivalent, but 'conceal' is more formal and often implies a specific object being hidden.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He concealed the money into the drawer.' Correct: 'He concealed the money in the drawer.'
- Incorrect: 'She concealed that she was upset.' (Less common). Correct: 'She concealed the fact that she was upset.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'conceal'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Conceal' is more formal and often implies a deliberate, active attempt to prevent discovery, sometimes with an object in mind. 'Hide' is more general and common in everyday speech.
Rarely. It is almost always a transitive verb (e.g., 'conceal something'). Intransitive use like 'He concealed behind the tree' is non-standard; use 'hid' instead.
No. While it can imply deception (concealing evidence), it can be neutral (concealing a surprise party) or positive (concealing one's fears to avoid worrying others).
The primary noun is 'concealment' (e.g., 'the concealment of the weapon').