noun
Uncommon
veil
vayl
Veil (noun) means a piece of thin fabric worn to cover the face or head, often for religious, cultural, or ceremonial reasons. Example: “The bride lifted her veil before the first kiss.”
noun
1
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."
"The dancer covered her face with a thin silk veil during the performance."
2
Something that hides or obscures the truth, like a disguise or cover.
"The scandal was hidden behind a veil of secrecy for years."
"Behind a veil of politeness, he was furious with them."
"The company's plans stayed under a veil of mystery until the launch."
verb
1
To cover with, or as if with, a veil.
"Fog veiled the mountains from view."
"She tried to veil her disappointment with a smile."
"Clouds veiled the moon for most of the night."
How to use veil
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- veils
- Third person singular
- veils
- Past tense
- veiled
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The bride lifted her _____ before the first kiss.
Etymology
From Old Northern French veil ("veil, shroud"), from Latin velum ("cloth, covering") — a doublet of "velum" and "voile."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for veil
See all rhymes for 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.
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