reveal

/rɪˈviːl/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈviːl/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈvēl/ (ame, mw)

reveal — verb

  • revealpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • revealshe / she / it
  • revealedpast simple
  • revealing-ing form

1. to tell people facts or news that had been kept from public knowledge, particula

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to tell people facts or news that had been kept from public knowledge, particularly when this is surprising or concerns private matters

例句

Jessica revealed her travel plans to the family during dinner.

reveal + something + to + someone

The report revealed serious problems with the city's water system.

同義詞
  • disclose

    more formal and legalistic; used in official or professional contexts

  • divulge

    implies sharing confidential or private information that was entrusted to you

  • uncover

    suggests discovering through investigation or effort

  • expose

    implies revealing something shameful or dishonest, often to stop it

反義詞
  • conceal

    to keep something hidden or secret

  • hide

    to put something where it cannot be seen or known

文法句型

reveal + something + (to + someone)

reveal + that-clause

reveal + wh-clause

用法筆記

Commonly takes a that-clause (revealed that...) as well as a plain noun object. The recipient of the information is introduced with to: reveal something to someone. This sense is the most frequent across all uses of the word.

常見錯誤

❌The truth revealed after the investigation.
✅The truth was revealed after the investigation.
💡reveal is transitive; the thing being revealed is the object, so a passive form is needed when there is no active subject.

2. to cause something that was covered or out of sight to become visible

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to cause something that was covered or out of sight to become visible

例句

Zola lifted the curtain to reveal a large painting on the wall.

verb + to reveal + object for showing result

The thick fog lifted and revealed the mountain peaks above the town.

同義詞
  • expose

    can mean to uncover something to view, but often has a negative connotation

  • show

    more general; does not imply previous hiding

  • display

    to arrange something for others to see, often with care

反義詞
  • cover

    to put something over or in front of something else

  • hide

    to keep out of sight

文法句型

reveal + something

to reveal + something (purpose / result)

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the pattern 'lifted / pulled / opened X to reveal Y', where the first verb names the removing action and to reveal states the result. Intransitive use is rare; the hidden object is usually the direct object.

常見錯誤

❌I revealed the painting on the wall.' (when you only uncovered it)
✅I lifted the curtain to reveal the painting on the wall.
💡use a separate verb for the action of uncovering, with to reveal showing the result.

reveal — noun