Reveal vs Showing

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Reveal

Top 2,000 (common) B2 verb

Showing

Top 1,000 (very common)

Most common: Showing

	Reveal	Showing
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //rɪˈviːl// 🇺🇸 //rɪˈviːl//	🇬🇧 //ˈʃəʊɪŋ// 🇺🇸 //ˈʃoʊɪŋ//
Meaning	To show something that was hidden.	Making something visible or clear
Example	The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show.	The teacher is showing the students how to solve the math problem.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	-
Part of speech	verb
Collocations	reveal a secret, reveal the truth, reveal information, reveal findings	showing interest, showing off, showing signs, showing respect, showing up
Antonyms	conceal, hide, suppress	hiding, concealing, keeping secret
Common mistakes	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.	Confusing with 'showed' for past actions., Using 'showing' without a clear object can sound incomplete., Misunderstanding its meaning in phrases like 'showing up' (arriving).
Usage notes	Use 'reveal' in contexts of uncovering information, secrets, or new insights. Suitable for both formal and informal situations.	Used to indicate making something visible or providing information; appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

See it in real clips

and the rest is just for showing off.

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

She's not showing at all, is she?

Top Gear › S1 E1

in the edit suite. We'll be showing it later.

and the rest is just for showing off.

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

She's not showing at all, is she?

Showing

Frequently asked questions: Reveal vs Showing

What's the difference between Reveal and Showing?

Reveal: To show something that was hidden. Showing: Making something visible or clear

Which is more common: Reveal and Showing?

Showing is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Reveal: The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show. Showing: The teacher is showing the students how to solve the math problem.

Can I use Reveal and Showing interchangeably?

Not always. Reveal and Showing 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.