Cool MateDiscover vs Reveal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Discover
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Reveal
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Discover
| Discover | Reveal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈskʌvə(r)/","/dɪˈskʌvəz/","/dɪˈskʌvəd/","/dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈskʌvər/","/dɪˈskʌvərz/","/dɪˈskʌvərd/","/dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈviːl//🇺🇸 //rɪˈviːl// |
| Meaning | to find out about something for the first time | To show something that was hidden. |
| Example | I want to discover new places during my vacation. | The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | quickly, soon, suddenly, be amazed to, be astonished to, be astounded to, an attempt to discover something, newly discovered, recently discovered, quickly, soon, suddenly, be amazed to, be astonished to, be astounded to, an attempt to discover something, newly discovered, recently discovered, quickly, soon, suddenly, be amazed to, be astonished to, be astounded to, an attempt to discover something, newly discovered, recently discovered, quickly, soon, suddenly, be amazed to, be astonished to, be astounded to, an attempt to discover something, newly discovered, recently discovered | reveal a secret, reveal the truth, reveal information, reveal findings |
| Antonyms | lose, ignore, overlook | conceal, hide, suppress |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'recover' – to discover is to find something new, while to recover is to get back something lost., Using 'discover' interchangeably with 'invent' – discovery means finding something that already exists, while invention is creating something new., Omitting the object when necessary – remember to specify what is being discovered. | Confused with 'reveal' vs 'disclose'. 'Reveal' implies showing something hidden, while 'disclose' implies make known., Incorrectly using 'reveal' with an implied object. Must specify what is being revealed., Overusing in casual contexts where simpler words like 'show' may be more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in academic, professional, and casual contexts, but avoid in overly formal settings where synonyms like 'ascertain' may be preferred. | Use 'reveal' in contexts of uncovering information, secrets, or new insights. Suitable for both formal and informal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Discover vs Reveal
What's the difference between Discover and Reveal?
Discover: to find out about something for the first time Reveal: To show something that was hidden.
Which is more common: Discover and Reveal?
Discover is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Discover and Reveal?
Reveal is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Discover and Reveal the same CEFR level?
Discover: A2, Reveal: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Discover and Reveal?
Discover: verb, Reveal: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Discover: I want to discover new places during my vacation. Reveal: The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show.
Can I use Discover and Reveal interchangeably?
Not always. Discover and Reveal are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.