disclose
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To make something secret or previously unknown known to others.
To reveal or allow to be seen something that was hidden or covered; to make information, facts, or details public.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive verb. Often implies the release of sensitive, private, or confidential information. Carries a sense of intentionality or obligation in revealing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Legal and journalistic usage is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations are formal, serious, and often related to duty, law, or confidentiality.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American legal and corporate contexts, but widely used in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
disclose sth (to sb)disclose that + clausedisclose wh- clausedisclose having done sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To lay one's cards on the table (related concept)”
- “To spill the beans (informal equivalent)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Companies must disclose their financial results to shareholders.
Academic
The study failed to disclose its methodological limitations.
Everyday
He finally disclosed where he'd hidden the spare key.
Technical
Patients have a right to have their medical records disclosed to them.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government declined to disclose the minister's travel costs.
- The report discloses that several safety protocols were ignored.
American English
- The company is legally obligated to disclose any conflicts of interest.
- She refused to disclose who had given her the information.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverb form. 'Disclosively' is virtually non-existent.
- The information was disclosed publicly. (Use 'publicly' as adverb).
American English
- Not a standard adverb form.
- The data was disclosed voluntarily. (Use other adverbs).
adjective
British English
- The disclosed documents formed the basis of the inquiry. (past participle as adjective)
- There is a legally enforceable disclosed income requirement.
American English
- The disclosed amount was far lower than expected.
- All disclosed earnings are a matter of public record.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The boy disclosed where he found the toy.
- Please disclose your name.
- The email disclosed the time of the meeting.
- He did not want to disclose his age.
- The newspaper disclosed the new plans for the park.
- The whistleblower disclosed evidence of corruption to the press.
- Applicants must disclose any criminal convictions.
- The author's biography discloses fascinating details about her early life.
- The investigation disclosed systemic failures within the regulatory body.
- Under cross-examination, the witness was forced to disclose having received the payment.
- The treaty requires member states to disclose their carbon emissions data annually.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLOSED door being opened to DIS-close what's inside.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING (to disclose is to let something be seen); INFORMATION IS A CONTAINED SUBSTANCE (to disclose is to open the container).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'discover' ('открывать, обнаруживать'). 'Disclose' implies revealing known but hidden info, not finding new info.
- Не путать с 'разоблачать' (expose, often with negative connotation). 'Disclose' is more neutral.
- Ближе по значению к 'раскрывать (информацию)', 'разглашать', 'обнародовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'disclose about' (incorrect). Correct: 'disclose the details' not 'disclose about the details'.
- Using intransitively (e.g., 'He disclosed.' requires an object: 'He disclosed the plan.')
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'disclose' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is generally considered formal or neutral-formal. It is common in legal, business, journalistic, and official contexts. In casual conversation, 'tell' or 'reveal' are more common.
The primary noun is 'disclosure'. (e.g., 'the disclosure of sensitive data').
They are often synonyms. 'Disclose' is more formal and often implies a deliberate act related to information that was secret or confidential. 'Reveal' can be more general and can apply to unintentional shows or broader discoveries (e.g., 'reveal a talent', 'the curtain revealed the stage').
It is possible but less common and quite formal (e.g., 'He disclosed his anxiety to his therapist'). More typical collocations are with concrete information: facts, data, names, details.