veil
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for veil, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A piece of thin fabric worn to cover the face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use veil
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old Northern French veil ("veil, shroud"), from Latin velum ("cloth, covering") — a doublet of "velum" and "voile."
Full origin of veil →Frequently asked questions
What does “veil” mean?
The word “veil” means a piece of thin fabric worn to cover the face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons. In plain terms, a face or head covering, or (figuratively) something that hides the truth.
How do you pronounce “veil”?
“Veil” is pronounced vayl (/veɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “veil” in a sentence?
Here is “veil” used in a sentence: “The bride lifted her veil before the first kiss.”
What part of speech is “veil”?
Depending on how it is used, “veil” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “veil” come from?
The word “veil” comes from Latin. From Old Northern French veil ("veil, shroud"), from Latin velum ("cloth, covering") — a doublet of "velum" and "voile.".
Is “veil” a common word?
“Veil” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “veil” have?
“Veil” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of thin fabric worn to cover the face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons.
What is the difference between a veil and a hijab?
A veil is a general term for any piece of thin fabric worn to cover the face or head for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons, while a hijab specifically refers to the headscarf worn by many Muslim women. "Veil" is the broader category and can describe bridal veils, mourning veils, or religious head coverings from many traditions.
What does it mean to say something is "veiled in secrecy"?
This figurative use of veil means the truth is hidden or obscured, much as a physical veil hides a face. It suggests deliberate concealment rather than something simply unknown.
Can veil be used as a verb?
Yes, "to veil" means to cover something with, or as if with, a veil, whether literally covering a face or figuratively disguising the truth.