unveil
B2Formal, journalistic, business
Definition
Meaning
To remove a veil or covering from something, revealing it for the first time.
To formally or publicly present, announce, or introduce a new plan, product, or work to the public for the first time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with formal presentation, ceremony, or strategic announcement. Carries a nuance of a carefully timed, prepared revelation rather than a casual showing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally formal and ceremonial in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American business and tech journalism ('unveil a new product').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] unveil [Direct Object][Subject] unveil [Direct Object] to [Indirect Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lift the veil (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CEO will unveil the company's five-year growth plan at the investor meeting.
Academic
The researcher unveiled her groundbreaking theory at the international conference.
Everyday
They unveiled the new park bench dedicated to the town's founder.
Technical
The engineer unveiled the prototype, demonstrating its revolutionary battery life.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The royal family will unveil the commemorative plaque next Thursday.
- The gallery is to unveil a previously unknown Turner watercolour.
American English
- The tech giant unveiled its latest smartphone at the Las Vegas conference.
- The mayor unveiled the city's new budget proposal.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The artist will unveil his new painting.
- The museum unveiled a new exhibition about ancient Egypt.
- The government has unveiled a series of measures aimed at reducing pollution.
- Amid great anticipation, the sculptor unveiled her monumental work, which critics hailed as a masterpiece of modern art.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VEIL covering a bride's face. To UN-VEIL is to remove that covering and show her face.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING/REVEALING IS SEEING (to unveil is to make visible, thus knowable).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'открывать' when it means simply 'to open' (a door). Use 'unveil' only for ceremonial/first-time revelations.
- Do not confuse with 'uncover' which can mean to find something hidden (uncover a plot).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unveil' for casual, everyday reveals (e.g., 'He unveiled his new haircut' - too formal).
- Incorrect preposition: 'unveil for the public' should be 'unveil to the public'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'unveil' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is frequently used metaphorically for plans, strategies, and information ('unveil a plan').
No, it specifically refers to the initial act of revealing. Once revealed, you would use 'revealed', 'introduced', or 'presented'.
'Unveil' implies a formal, deliberate, and often public act of first-time revelation. 'Reveal' is more general and can be used for any act of making something known, private or public.
Yes, 'unveiling' is the common noun form (e.g., 'the unveiling ceremony').