hide
hyd
Hide (verb) means to put something, or oneself, somewhere out of sight or hard to find. Example: “She hid the presents in the closet before the party.”
verb
1
To put something, or oneself, somewhere out of sight or hard to find.
"She hid the presents in the closet before the party."
"He hid behind the curtain when he heard footsteps."
"The cat likes to hide under the sofa whenever visitors arrive."
noun
1
The skin of an animal, especially when used for leather.
"The cowboy boots were made from tough cowhide."
"The tanner soaked each hide in a large vat before drying it."
"A single deer hide can be turned into a soft pair of gloves."
2
(mainly British) A covered shelter used for watching wildlife without disturbing it.
"We spent the morning in a bird hide, watching herons on the lake."
"From the hide beside the marsh, we quietly watched a kingfisher dive."
"Please keep your voice down once you are inside the hide, or the birds will leave."
How to use hide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo conceal something or yourself — or, as a noun, an animal's skin, or a shelter for watching wildlife.
UK vs US
The wildlife-watching "hide" is chiefly British; American English generally says "blind" instead.
Common pairings
hide something from someone
go into hiding
a bird hide
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Word forms
- Plural
- hides
- Third person singular
- hides
- Past tense
- hid, hidden, hided
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat likes to _____ under the sofa whenever visitors arrive.
Etymology
From Old English "hydan" ("to hide, conceal, preserve"), ultimately from a root meaning "to cover" — the same root that gives us "hoard," "hut," and "sky."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for hide
See all rhymes for hide →Frequently asked questions
What does “hide” mean?
The word “hide” means to put something, or oneself, somewhere out of sight or hard to find. In plain terms, to conceal something or yourself — or, as a noun, an animal's skin, or a shelter for watching wildlife.
How do you pronounce “hide”?
“Hide” is pronounced hyd (/haɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “hide” in a sentence?
Here is “hide” used in a sentence: “The cowboy boots were made from tough cowhide.”
What part of speech is “hide”?
Depending on how it is used, “hide” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hide” come from?
The word “hide” comes from Old English. From Old English "hydan" ("to hide, conceal, preserve"), ultimately from a root meaning "to cover" — the same root that gives us "hoard," "hut," and "sky.".
Is “hide” a common word?
“Hide” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “hide” have?
“Hide” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to put something, or oneself, somewhere out of sight or hard to find.
What is the difference between hide and conceal?
Both mean to keep something out of sight, and they overlap heavily. 'Hide' is the everyday word and can be physical or personal — hide the keys, hide from someone. 'Conceal' is slightly more formal and often deliberate or secretive, as in concealing evidence or a concealed weapon.
What is the past tense of hide?
The past tense is 'hid' — she hid the letter — and the past participle is 'hidden' — it had been hidden. 'Hided' is incorrect. Note that 'hide' is also a separate noun meaning an animal's skin or leather, which is unrelated to the verb meaning to conceal.
What is the opposite of hide?
Common opposites include reveal, show, expose, display, and uncover. Where 'hide' puts something out of sight, these words bring it into view. 'Reveal' and 'show' are the most natural everyday antonyms, while 'expose' suggests uncovering something that was meant to stay concealed.
Can you hide your feelings?
Yes. 'Hide' is often used figuratively for emotions and information, not just objects — hiding your disappointment, hiding the truth, or hiding your intentions. In this sense it means keeping something from being noticed or known, rather than physically placing an object somewhere out of sight.
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