uncover

verb

un·​cov·​er ən-ˈkə-vər How to pronounce uncover (audio)
uncovered; uncovering; uncovers

transitive verb

1
: to make known : bring to light : disclose, reveal
uncover the truth
2
: to expose to view by removing some covering
3
a
: to take the cover from
b
: to remove the hat from
uncovered his head
4
: to deprive of protection

intransitive verb

1
: to remove a cover or covering
2
: to take off the hat as a token of respect

Examples of uncover in a Sentence

Police uncovered a criminal plot. Archaeologists uncovered the ruins of an ancient city.
Recent Examples on the Web The search for that truth uncovers deeper ones still, in the process unearthing hatchets that had seemed buried and reopening wounds that had appeared healed. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 The film uncovers the story of the crash that took the lives of so many and looms over the world of motorsports to this day. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 The Enquirer uncovered other cases that have not been reported before. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Remains uncovered at a mobile home park in Ormond Beach, Florida, late last month have been positively identified as a 16-year-old girl who went missing in 2004, authorities confirmed. Brie Stimson, Fox News, 10 Mar. 2024 Sun’s story explained that a former New York City police detective and a genealogist helped Kelley uncover baptismal records of a Cruz family ancestor who was born in the Mexican state of Sonora in 1819. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Archaeologists uncovered the 300-year-old cemetery during excavations in Durlach, the Stuttgart Regional Council said in a March 6 news release. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Consuelos faced off against a New Jersey firefighter on the latest edition of Stump Mark — a mini game that sees contestants call in to present Consuelos with two scenarios about their lives, followed by the star attempting to uncover which one is a lie. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Let stand, uncovered, for 10 minutes before serving. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncover.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncover was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near uncover

Cite this Entry

“Uncover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncover. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncover

verb
un·​cov·​er ˌən-ˈkəv-ər How to pronounce uncover (audio)
1
: to make known : disclose, reveal
uncover a plot
2
: to expose to view by removing some covering
uncover the ruins of an ancient city
3
a
: to take the cover from
uncover the box
b
: to remove the hat from
c
: to take off one's hat as a sign of respect

More from Merriam-Webster on uncover

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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