2 syllables: Re, veal. Stress on veal.
riv-EEL
/ɹɪˈvil/
Reveal is pronounced riv-EEL (/ɹɪˈvil/). It has two syllables (Re-veal), with the stress on "veal". Reveal is a verb meaning to make something visible or known that was hidden or unseen. It often implies uncovering or demonstrating information, with emphasis on process or result rather than the act itself. In usage, you reveal a secret, data, or a plan, sometimes suggesting a formal or staged disclosure.
verbReveal is a verb meaning to make something visible or known that was hidden or unseen. It often implies uncovering or demonstrating information, with emphasis on process or result rather than the act itself. In usage, you reveal a secret, data, or a plan, sometimes suggesting a formal or staged disclosure.
"The detective finally revealed the culprit’s true identity."
"During the press conference, the company revealed its new product lineup."
"She revealed her doubts about the project after the team’s presentation."
Pronounce it as /rɪˈviːl/ in US and AU, and /rɪˈviːl/ in UK English. The primary stress falls on the second syllable: re-VEAL. Start with a short /r/ grip, then a lax /ɪ/ (as in sit), followed by a long /iː/ (as in see) for the second syllable, and end with the clear /l/ tongue tip contact. Listen to native examples to hear the long vowel length and the final light /l/.
Two common errors are treating the second syllable as /ɪəl/ instead of /iːl/, making it sound like re-VY-əl rather than re-VEEL. Another pitfall is a clipped /r/ or poor vowel length on /ɪ/; ensure you don’t reduce the first syllable too much and keep the /ɪ/ distinction. Focus on keeping the second syllable long and the /l/ clearly released.
In General US and AU, the /r/ is more pronounced, and the second syllable uses a clear /iː/. In UK English, /r/ is less rhotic depending on dialect, and the second syllable has a slightly shorter /iː/ with more tension on the tongue. The primary stress remains on the second syllable in all variants, but vowel quality and rhoticity influence the overall timbre and flow.
The difficulty lies in the long, tense /iː/ in the second syllable and the transition from a concise /ɪ/ in the first syllable to a lengthened vowel, plus the /v/ + /l/ cluster at the end, which requires precise tongue tip contact and lip shaping. For learners, the key is keeping the second syllable steady and avoiding a reduced vowel, so you maintain clarity in the reveal.
A unique aspect is the clear, perceptible primary stress on the second syllable with a long /iː/ that distinctly separates re- from -veal. This contrasts with many two-syllable verbs where stress can vary or be weaker. The combination of /r/ + /ɪ/ + /ˈviːl/ requires careful vowel duration control and an open, relaxed jaw for the /iː/ to emerge without compromising the /l/ release.
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Reveal comes from the Middle English revelen, which meant to uncover or lay bare. It traces to the Old French reveler, from rever ’to uncover, bare’ and ultimately from Latin revelare, meaning to unmask, reveal, or disclose. The word evolved through Old French to English, maintaining the core sense of lifting a cover and bringing something into view. In early uses, reveal carried the sense of uncovering physical objects or revealing secrets; by the 15th century, it expanded to abstract disclosures such as information, intentions, or plans. The modern sense emphasizes intentional disclosure, often implying a deliberate act of making something known rather than accidental exposure. Over time, “reveal” has become common across contexts—from dramatic scenes to data-driven announcements—while retaining its core connotation of removal of concealment and introduction to visibility or knowledge.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Reveal" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Reveal" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Reveal"
-eal sounds
-eel sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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