Concealing: meaning, definitions and examples

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concealing

[kənˈsiːlɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

hide

Concealing means to hide or keep something secret. It is an act of obscuring or disguising something to prevent it from being seen or known.

Synonyms

camouflage, disguise, hide, mask, obscure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
concealing	Used when you want to keep something secret or not visible. It often implies intentionally keeping information or details hidden. She was very good at concealing her true feelings during the meeting
hide	A general term used when something or someone is put out of sight or kept out of view. It can be used for both physical and metaphorical hiding. She decided to hide the gift in the closet
mask	Can be used both literally, for something that covers the face, and metaphorically, to indicate hiding emotions or intentions. It often implies concealment for privacy or protection. She masked her disappointment with a smile
disguise	Involves changing one's appearance or identity to avoid recognition. Often used in contexts involving costumes, espionage, or deception. He wore a disguise to the party so no one would recognize him
obscure	Means making something difficult to see or understand. Often used when something is not completely hidden but is made unclear or hard to perceive. The fog obscured the view of the mountains
camouflage	Commonly used when something is being hidden by blending in with the surroundings, often used in military contexts or natural settings. The soldiers used camouflage to blend in with the forest

Examples of usage

She was concealing her true emotions behind a smile.
The spy was concealing important information from the enemy.
He tried concealing the truth, but eventually, it came out.
The magician was skilled at concealing objects in his hands.
I could tell she was concealing something from me.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

disguise

Concealing can also refer to a disguise or a cover-up used to hide one's true identity or intentions.

Synonyms

camouflage, cover-up, disguise, mask, veil.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
concealing	Suitable for situations where something needs to be hidden from view or kept secret in general contexts, such as emotions, objects, or information. She was good at concealing her true feelings. He made an effort in concealing the evidence.
disguise	Used when someone or something changes appearance to hide its true identity or nature. Common in espionage, acting, or casual descriptions of people trying not to be recognized. He wore a disguise to avoid being recognized. The spy adopted a clever disguise to infiltrate the enemy camp.
cover-up	Often used when referring to hiding an embarrassing or illegal action, usually involving conspiracies or scandals. It generally has a negative connotation. The company was accused of a cover-up after the accident. There was evidence of a government cover-up regarding the incident.
camouflage	Typically used in military, hunting, or natural settings where hiding from view by blending into the environment is necessary. The soldiers wore camouflage to blend into the forest. The chameleon uses its color-changing ability as a natural camouflage.
mask	Applicable when something is being hidden behind a literal or figurative facade. This term is frequently employed in both physical and emotional contexts. She put on a mask to avoid inhaling the dust. He tried to mask his disappointment with a smile.
veil	Often used in contexts that involve a light or semi-transparent cover that obscures something from view. It can also mean a metaphorical cover for feelings or truths. The bride wore a beautiful veil. Her gentle smile was a veil for her true feelings of sadness.

Examples of usage

The thief wore a concealing mask to avoid being recognized.
The spy used a concealing outfit to blend in with the crowd.
Her concealing of her emotions made it difficult to read her true feelings.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'concelare', meaning 'to hide or to keep secret'.
It combines 'con-' (together) and 'celare' (to hide), which suggests the act of hiding something away.
The use of the word in English dates back to the late Middle Ages, reflecting societal needs for privacy and secrecy.

Psychology

Concealing feelings or thoughts is often linked to emotional intelligence, as it can be a way to protect oneself or others.
Studies show that people may conceal emotions to avoid conflict or maintain social harmony.
Excessive concealing of emotions can lead to stress and mental health issues, as unexpressed feelings may accumulate.

Literature

In literature, characters often conceal their true intentions, creating suspense and complexity in narratives.
Classic works, like Shakespeare's plays, frequently explore the theme of concealment, affecting character relationships and plot development.
Concealment can serve as a metaphor for larger societal issues, such as taboo subjects or hidden truths within a community.

Pop Culture

Magic shows and illusions are built around the concept of concealing, creating awe and wonder among audiences.
In films and TV, suspense thrillers often rely on characters concealing information, leading to dramatic plot twists.
Social media can create a facade where people conceal their true selves behind curated images, blurring reality.

Law

In legal contexts, concealing evidence can lead to serious consequences and mistrials.
Concealment laws in some jurisdictions pertain to hiding a crime or evidence, illustrating the complexity of justice.
Individuals may conceal information during trials to protect their rights or avoid self-incrimination.

Translations

Translations of the word "concealing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ocultando

🇮🇳 छिपाना

🇩🇪 verbergen

🇮🇩 menyembunyikan

🇺🇦 приховування

🇵🇱 ukrywanie

🇯🇵 隠す (kakusu)

🇫🇷 dissimuler

🇪🇸 ocultando

🇹🇷 gizlemek

🇰🇷 숨기기 (sumgigi)

🇸🇦 إخفاء (ikhfa')

🇨🇿 skrývání

🇸🇰 skrývanie

🇨🇳 隐藏 (yǐncáng)

🇸🇮 skrivanje

🇮🇸 fela

🇰🇿 жасыру

🇬🇪 დამალვა (damalva)

🇦🇿 gizlətmək

🇲🇽 ocultando

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,798, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13795 magnetite
13796 copyrighted
13797 transferor
13798 concealing
13799 protruding
13800 flutter
13801 relic
...