noun

veil

vayl

noun

A piece of thin fabric worn to cover the face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons.

"The bride lifted her veil before the first kiss."

"Some women wear a veil as part of their religious dress."

Something that hides or obscures the truth, like a disguise or cover.

"The scandal was hidden behind a veil of secrecy for years."

verb

To cover with, or as if with, a veil.

"Fog veiled the mountains from view."

"She tried to veil her disappointment with a smile."

How to Use Veil

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA face or head covering, or (figuratively) something that hides the truth.

Common pairings

a veil of secrecy wedding veil lift the veil veiled threat

veiled past tense, veils plural, veils singular

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The bride lifted her _____ before the first kiss.

From Old Northern French veil ("veil, shroud"), from Latin velum ("cloth, covering") — a doublet of "velum" and "voile."

Neil heil unveil soleil McNeil