verb
Common
disclose
dihs-KLOHZ
Disclose (verb) means to reveal information that was previously secret or unknown. Example: “The company had to disclose its financial losses to shareholders.”
verb
1
To reveal information that was previously secret or unknown.
"The company had to disclose its financial losses to shareholders."
"He refused to disclose his sources to the journalist."
"The doctor may not disclose your medical records to anyone without your permission."
How to use disclose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make known something that had been hidden or private.
When to use it
Common in formal, legal, and business contexts (disclosing financial or medical information).
Common pairings
disclose information
fully disclose
disclose a secret
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Word forms
- Plural
- discloses
- Third person singular
- discloses
- Past tense
- disclosed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company had to _____ its financial losses to shareholders.
Etymology
From Old French desclore, "to unclose, uncover" — built from dis- plus Latin claudere, "to close."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
cover up
withhold
Related words
Rhymes for disclose
See all rhymes for disclose →Frequently asked questions
What does “disclose” mean?
The word “disclose” means to reveal information that was previously secret or unknown. In plain terms, to make known something that had been hidden or private.
How do you pronounce “disclose”?
“Disclose” is pronounced dihs-KLOHZ (/dɪsˈkləʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “disclose” in a sentence?
Here is “disclose” used in a sentence: “The company had to disclose its financial losses to shareholders.”
What is another word for “disclose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disclose” include expose, reveal, make known and publish.
What is the opposite of “disclose”?
The opposite of “disclose” — its antonyms — are cover up and withhold.
What part of speech is “disclose”?
“Disclose” is a verb.
Where does the word “disclose” come from?
The word “disclose” comes from Latin. From Old French desclore, "to unclose, uncover" — built from dis- plus Latin claudere, "to close.".
Is “disclose” a common word?
“Disclose” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between disclose and reveal?
Disclose usually implies making known information that was deliberately kept private or confidential, often in a formal or legal context, such as disclosing financial records. Reveal is broader and can apply to any kind of previously hidden information, including feelings, secrets, or facts uncovered by accident.
When should you use disclose instead of tell?
Disclose fits formal or official situations where information was confidential and is now being officially shared, such as a company disclosing risks to investors. Tell is a general, everyday word for communicating any kind of information, formal or not.
What preposition follows disclose?
Disclose is typically followed by 'to' when naming the recipient, as in 'disclose the results to the committee.' It can also be used with 'that' to introduce a clause, as in 'the report disclosed that costs had risen.'
