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
veiled; veiling; veils
: to cover, provide, obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil
: to put on or wear a veil
Synonyms
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
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
In fact, this ultra-fine mist is developed to boost the radiance of your look, thanks to its thin, vinyl-like veil of polymers that transparently hold cosmetics in place while still feeling breathable on skin.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 4 Nov. 2024
Bill Rokos, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Taking Blaine by the hand, the Rev. Samuel D. Burchard pledged the backing of the clerics with shots at Blaine’s critics and veiled allusions to Cleveland’s private life.
—Robert B. Mitchell / Made By History, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for veil 
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Noun
As fundamentalists seize control, the women remove their veils, speak about their intimate hopes, loves and disappointments, their femininity and their search for a place in an increasingly oppressive society.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
In fact, this ultra-fine mist is developed to boost the radiance of your look, thanks to its thin, vinyl-like veil of polymers that transparently hold cosmetics in place while still feeling breathable on skin.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Simply put, manufacturers are getting impatient for tangible results, and some of the excitement that once existed about AI’s disruptive potential is now veiled by performance issues, slow adoption rates and pushed project timelines.
—Bill Rokos, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Taking Blaine by the hand, the Rev. Samuel D. Burchard pledged the backing of the clerics with shots at Blaine’s critics and veiled allusions to Cleveland’s private life.
—Robert B. Mitchell / Made By History, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for veil
Articles Related to veil
Dictionary Entries Near veil
Cite this Entry
“Veil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veil. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
veil
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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