Uncovered

/ʌnˈkʌvərd/

verbmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To remove something that is covering or hiding something else, or to reveal something hidden.

/ʌnˈkʌvərd/

verbneutralmedium
General

To remove a covering from something.

The detective uncovered the truth behind the mysterious disappearance.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're hiding a present with a blanket. To uncover it is like taking the blanket off so you can see the present. It can also mean finding out a secret, like when you discover something hidden.

👶 For kids: To take off something that's hiding something else, like taking the lid off a box.

More Examples

2

They uncovered the statue from beneath the tarp.

3

The children uncovered the treasure chest in the sand.

How It's Used

General

"The archaeologists uncovered a hidden tomb."

News

"The investigation uncovered a network of corruption."

2

Not covered or protected; exposed to the elements or to view.

/ʌnˈkʌvərd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Not having a cover; exposed.

The uncovered food attracted flies.

💡 Simply: Imagine a cake without a lid – it’s uncovered! It means something is open and you can see it, not hidden or protected.

👶 For kids: When something doesn't have a lid or blanket on it.

More Examples

2

He had an uncovered head, and his hair was wet from the rain.

3

The uncovered documents were placed on the table.

How It's Used

Everyday

"She slept outside in an uncovered bed."

Medical

"An uncovered wound is more susceptible to infection."

Tip:Picture something without a top or lid.

From Middle English 'uncoveren,' from Old English 'un-'(not) + 'oferian' (to cover).

Used since the late 14th century, often in a literal sense of removing a physical covering, and later in a figurative sense of revealing something hidden.

Memory tip

Think of 'un-' as 'undo,' and 'cover' as hide. Undo the hiding!

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"To remove a covering"

uncover a secretuncover the truthuncover a plotuncovered documentsuncovered head

Common misspellings

uncoverduncoveredd

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written