revealing
rih-VEE-lihng
Revealing (adjective) means giving useful or surprising information; informative. Example: “The survey gave us a revealing look at how people spend their evenings.”
adjective
1
Giving useful or surprising information; informative.
"The survey gave us a revealing look at how people spend their evenings."
"It was a revealing interview, and nobody expected such honest answers."
"His answer was quite revealing about his real priorities."
2
Showing more of the body than is usual, especially through clothing.
"The school's dress code bans revealing tops and very short shorts."
"He felt the costume was too revealing for a cold evening."
"She wore a rather revealing dress to the party."
How to use revealing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something that shows unexpected information, or clothing that shows more skin than usual.
Common pairings
a revealing outfit
a revealing comment
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Word forms
- Plural
- revealings
- Comparative
- more revealing
- Superlative
- most revealing
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The survey gave us a _____ look at how people spend their evenings.
Etymology
Came from Middle English reveling, equivalent to reveal and -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for revealing
healing
sealing
dealing
whaling
dialing
scaling
stealing
exhaling
inhaling
pedaling
annealing
appealing
See all rhymes for revealing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “revealing” mean?
The word “revealing” means giving useful or surprising information; informative. In plain terms, either something that shows unexpected information, or clothing that shows more skin than usual.
How do you pronounce “revealing”?
“Revealing” is pronounced rih-VEE-lihng (/ɹɪˈvilɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “revealing” in a sentence?
Here is “revealing” used in a sentence: “His answer was quite revealing about his real priorities.”
What part of speech is “revealing”?
“Revealing” is an adjective.
Is “revealing” a common word?
“Revealing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “revealing” have?
“Revealing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: giving useful or surprising information; informative.
What is the difference between revealing and revelatory?
Both mean giving surprising or significant information, but "revealing" is more common and everyday, while "revelatory" is more formal and often suggests a deeper or more dramatic insight. A revealing remark shows something; a revelatory experience can change how you see things.
What is the difference between revealing and telling?
In the informative sense, both describe something that exposes hidden information, as in a revealing or telling detail. "Telling" often stresses that a small sign points to a larger truth, while "revealing" stresses that something previously hidden is now shown.
What is the difference between revealing and skimpy?
When describing clothing, both suggest showing a lot of the body. "Revealing" is fairly neutral and can simply mean showing more than usual, while "skimpy" stresses that a garment is very small or scant in fabric and is more informal.
Can revealing be used as a positive or a negative word?
Yes, revealing can be either. In the informative sense it is usually positive or neutral, as in a revealing interview. When describing clothing, it may be neutral or carry disapproval, depending on the speaker and context.
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