Disclose

Definition

Disclose refers to the act of revealing or making information known that was previously hidden, secret, or unknown. It is commonly used in legal, business, and personal contexts to indicate the sharing of confidential or important details.

Parts of Speech

• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /dɪsˈkloʊz/
• Respelling: dis-KLOHZ

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /dɪsˈkləʊz/
• Respelling: dis-KLOHZ

The pronunciation of "disclose" is nearly identical in both American and British English, with a slight variation in the vowel sound of the second syllable.

Etymology

The word "disclose" comes from the Old French "desclore," meaning "to open or unlock," which itself is derived from Latin "dis-" meaning "apart" and "claudere" meaning "to close." It entered Middle English in the 14th century, originally meaning "to unclose" or "to expose."

Derivatives

• Disclosure (noun)
• Disclosable (adjective)
• Undisclosed (adjective)
• Discloser (noun)
• Disclosing (verb)

Synonyms

• Reveal
• Unveil
• Expose

Antonyms

• Conceal
• Hide
• Suppress

Usage

The term "disclose" is frequently used in legal, financial, and professional contexts to refer to the sharing or revelation of information. In legal terms, it may involve the obligation to disclose certain facts, while in business, it refers to making confidential information available to specific parties. Additionally, it is used in personal contexts when revealing previously hidden facts.

Related Terms

• Divulge: To reveal or make known, typically information that was meant to be kept secret.
• Announce: To make something known publicly or officially.
• Confess: To admit or reveal something, especially a wrongdoing.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To reveal or make known: Refers to the act of sharing information that was previously hidden or secret.
  • Example: "The company was required to disclose its financial details to the regulators."
• To expose to view: Describes the act of uncovering something that was not visible or known before.
  • Example: "The fog lifted to disclose a stunning view of the mountains."