veil

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often especially in Eastern countries for the face
specifically : the outer covering of a nun's headdress
b
: a length of veiling or netting worn over the head or face or attached for protection or ornament to a hat or headdress
a bridal veil
c
: any of various liturgical cloths
especially : a cloth used to cover the chalice
2
: the life of a nun
often used in the phrase take the veil
3
: a concealing curtain or cover of cloth
4
: something that resembles a veil
a veil of stars
especially : something that hides or obscures like a veil
lift the veil of secrecy
5
: a covering body part or membrane: such as
a
: velum
b
: caul

veil

2 of 2

verb

veiled; veiling; veils

transitive verb

: to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil

intransitive verb

: to put on or wear a veil

Examples of veil in a Sentence

Noun Veils of moss draped the trees. under the veil of descending darkness the thieves began their operation Verb Her eyes were partially veiled by her long, dark hair. The sun was veiled by clouds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The dawn light drew a silver veil over this land of unnerving beauty, reminding me of paintings by Caspar David Friedrich and William Blake. Chloe Berge, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025 The Tulle Top Christopher Esber’s T-shirt is unlike any other it is draped with a veil of silky texture. Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
The indictment says the transactions sometimes involved cryptocurrency, which veiled the source of the money and identities of those involved. Michael Loria, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025 When the world is falling apart, all the illogical perceptions fall away, leaving only what matters standing, and that which matters is no longer veiled by those perceptions. Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for veil

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin vēla, plural of vēlum "sail, awning, curtain," going back to *u̯eg-s-lo-, perhaps derivative of a verbal base *u̯eg-, akin to Old Irish -fig- "weaves," Old English wēoce "wick" — more at wick entry 1

Verb

Middle English veilen, borrowed from Anglo-French veler, verbal derivative of veil veil entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of veil was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Veil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veil. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

veil

1 of 2 noun
1
: a piece of cloth or net worn usually by women over the head and shoulders and sometimes over the face
2
: something that covers or hides like a veil
lift the veil of secrecy

veil

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with or as if with a veil

Medical Definition

veil

noun
: a covering body part or membrane
especially : caul sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on veil

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