Explanation at your level:
If you have a secret, you keep it. If you tell someone the secret, you divulge it. It is a big, fancy word for 'tell'. Use it when you want to sound very serious.
When you divulge information, you share a secret. Maybe you tell a friend a password or a surprise party plan. People often say 'I cannot divulge that' when they want to be professional and keep a secret safe.
The verb divulge means to reveal something that was hidden. It is often used in business or news. For example, a doctor cannot divulge your medical records to other people. It is a formal way to say 'reveal' or 'disclose'.
Divulge implies a sense of responsibility or duty regarding information. It is commonly used in phrases like 'refuse to divulge' or 'divulge the source'. It carries a higher register than 'reveal' and is perfect for academic or professional writing where precision is required.
In advanced contexts, divulge suggests the act of breaking a seal of confidentiality. It is frequently paired with abstract nouns like 'intentions', 'strategy', or 'identities'. It is distinct from 'divulge' in that it carries the weight of a formal disclosure, often implying that the speaker had the power or duty to keep the information private.
Etymologically, divulge bridges the gap between 'common knowledge' and 'private truth'. In literary or high-register discourse, it can imply a reluctant or significant unveiling of a mystery. It is the preferred choice when the act of revealing is itself an event of consequence, such as the divulging of state secrets or the final revelation of a plot twist in a complex narrative.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Divulge means to reveal a secret.
- It is a formal, professional verb.
- Commonly used in law and journalism.
- Rhymes with indulge.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word divulge. Think of it as the more formal, slightly more serious cousin of the word 'tell' or 'reveal'. When you divulge something, you aren't just chatting about the weather; you are sharing information that was meant to be kept under wraps.
It is often used in professional or high-stakes situations. For example, a journalist might divulge the name of an anonymous source, or a company might refuse to divulge their secret recipe. Using this word adds a layer of weight to your sentence, suggesting that the information shared was significant and perhaps protected.
The word divulge has a fascinating history rooted in Latin. It comes from the Latin word divulgare, which is a combination of di- (meaning 'apart' or 'widely') and vulgare (meaning 'to make common' or 'to publish').
The root vulgus actually means 'the common people' or 'the crowd'. So, historically, to divulge meant to spread something out to the common people, effectively making a private matter public. It entered English in the 15th century, retaining its sense of 'spreading abroad' before narrowing into our modern definition of revealing secrets.
You will mostly see divulge in formal writing, news reports, or legal contexts. Because it sounds quite sophisticated, it is less common in casual, everyday conversation. You wouldn't typically say, 'I divulged what I had for lunch,' unless you were making a joke!
Common collocations include divulge information, divulge details, and refuse to divulge. It is almost always used with a direct object—you have to divulge something. It is a great word to use when you want to sound precise, professional, or slightly dramatic.
While divulge itself isn't a common idiom, it is the direct action described by many. 1. Let the cat out of the bag: To accidentally divulge a secret. 2. Spill the beans: To divulge information prematurely. 3. Sing like a canary: To divulge information to the police. 4. An open book: Someone who doesn't mind if you divulge their secrets. 5. Keep under wraps: The opposite of divulging; keeping something hidden.
Divulge is a regular verb. Its forms are divulges (present), divulged (past), and divulging (participle). It is almost always used in a transitive pattern, meaning it takes an object: 'He refused to divulge the truth.'
Pronunciation: In the US and UK, it is /dɪˈvʌldʒ/. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like indulge, bulge, and sculge. Remember that soft 'g' sound at the end is key!
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'vulgar', which originally just meant 'of the common people'.
Pronunciation Guide
dih-VULJ
dih-VULJ
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g'
- Ignoring the second syllable stress
- Adding an extra vowel sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Formal vocabulary
Requires context awareness
Sounds formal
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
I divulge the secret.
Modal Verbs
I must divulge it.
Formal Register
Avoid in casual speech.
Examples by Level
She did not divulge the secret.
She kept the secret.
Past tense.
Can you divulge your age?
Can you tell your age?
Question form.
He will not divulge the code.
He will keep the code.
Future tense.
Do not divulge my name.
Do not say my name.
Imperative.
They divulged the news.
They told the news.
Past tense.
I cannot divulge that info.
I cannot share that info.
Modal verb.
Why did you divulge it?
Why did you tell?
Wh- question.
We must not divulge plans.
We must keep plans secret.
Modal of obligation.
The company refused to divulge its profits.
She was afraid to divulge her true feelings.
Please do not divulge this conversation to anyone.
He divulged the location of the hidden treasure.
The report divulges the cause of the fire.
They were forced to divulge their sources.
I am not allowed to divulge that information.
She divulged her secret to her best friend.
The police were unable to divulge any details about the ongoing investigation.
He was careful not to divulge his password to anyone online.
The politician refused to divulge the source of his campaign funding.
It is a breach of contract to divulge trade secrets to competitors.
She finally divulged the truth after months of silence.
The author refused to divulge the ending of her new book.
Lawyers are bound by professional ethics not to divulge client information.
The witness was reluctant to divulge what she saw that night.
The whistleblower decided to divulge the company's corrupt practices to the press.
The government is under pressure to divulge the full extent of the environmental damage.
He was hesitant to divulge his past, fearing it would affect his reputation.
The contract explicitly forbids the employee to divulge any proprietary information.
The detective promised not to divulge the identity of the informant.
She felt a sense of relief after she finally divulged her long-held secret.
The data breach occurred because someone divulged their login credentials.
The agency refused to divulge the classified documents to the public.
The scientist was hesitant to divulge his preliminary findings before they were peer-reviewed.
The diplomat was careful not to divulge the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
The company's failure to divulge the risks associated with the product led to a massive lawsuit.
The journalist was praised for her courage in divulging the truth about the scandal.
He divulged his true intentions only after the deal had been signed.
The historian divulged long-lost facts about the ancient civilization.
The celebrity refused to divulge the details of her private life to the tabloids.
The court ordered the company to divulge the financial records.
The cryptic manuscript finally divulged its secrets to the patient scholar.
The architect divulged the hidden structural flaws in the design during the inquiry.
The confession divulged a depth of guilt that shocked the entire community.
The silence was broken only when he finally divulged the tragic events of that night.
The report serves to divulge the intricate web of deceit surrounding the project.
She divulged her inner turmoil in a series of deeply personal letters.
The witness divulged a piece of evidence that changed the course of the trial.
The artist divulged his creative process in a rare and candid interview.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"spill the beans"
To divulge a secret.
Who spilled the beans about the party?
casual"let the cat out of the bag"
To divulge a secret by mistake.
I let the cat out of the bag about the promotion.
casual"sing like a canary"
To divulge information to authorities.
The suspect sang like a canary.
slang"come clean"
To divulge the truth after hiding it.
It is time to come clean about what happened.
neutral"lay one's cards on the table"
To divulge one's intentions openly.
He finally laid his cards on the table.
neutral"open up"
To divulge personal feelings.
She finally started to open up to me.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar sound
Indulge means to enjoy something; divulge means to reveal.
I will indulge in cake, but I will not divulge the recipe.
Similar meaning
Disclose is more legal; divulge is more about secrets.
He disclosed the assets; he divulged the secret.
Synonym
Reveal is neutral; divulge is formal.
She revealed her name; she divulged the password.
Both involve secrets
Betray implies disloyalty; divulge just means telling.
He betrayed his friend by divulging the secret.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + refused to + divulge + object
The witness refused to divulge the name.
Subject + was forced to + divulge + object
He was forced to divulge the truth.
Subject + decided to + divulge + object
She decided to divulge her plans.
It is illegal to + divulge + object
It is illegal to divulge trade secrets.
They will not + divulge + object
They will not divulge the winner.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Divulge requires an object.
Often the object is enough without 'to'.
Divulge is too formal for lunch plans.
Disclose is often better for legal documents.
Watch the 'g' sound.
Tips
When to use
Use for professional secrets.
Don't use for small things
Avoid for daily chatter.
Stress the second syllable
dih-VULJ, not DIV-ulge.
Needs an object
Always divulge something.
Latin roots
Related to 'vulgar'.
Flashcards
Pair with 'reveal'.
Journalism
Used for sources.
The 'V' sound
Focus on the 'v' and 'j' sounds.
Formal tone
Use in essays.
Legal context
Use in contracts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Divulge sounds like 'div' (divide) + 'vulge' (vulgar). Divide the vulgar secrets!
Visual Association
A person whispering a secret in a library.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences using 'divulge' in a professional context.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To make common/public
Cultural Context
None, but can sound aggressive if used in personal relationships.
Used often in legal and journalistic contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Journalism
- divulge the source
- divulge the truth
- refuse to divulge
Legal
- divulge evidence
- divulge information
- failure to divulge
Business
- divulge strategy
- divulge profits
- divulge data
Personal
- divulge a secret
- divulge a feeling
- divulge a plan
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had to divulge a secret?"
"Why do you think companies refuse to divulge their recipes?"
"Is it ever okay to divulge someone else's secret?"
"What kind of information should never be divulged?"
"How does it feel to divulge something important?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you found it hard to divulge the truth.
If you were a spy, what would you refuse to divulge?
Describe the difference between revealing and divulging.
Why is privacy important in an age where people divulge everything?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, but it is much more formal.
You can, but it might sound funny or overly dramatic.
Divulgence.
Not necessarily, but it often involves secrets.
No, it means to reveal the truth.
dih-VULJ.
Yes, very common.
Yes, if you ruin it!
Test Yourself
The spy did not ___ the secret.
Divulge means to tell a secret.
Which is a synonym for divulge?
Reveal is a synonym.
Is it common to divulge what you had for breakfast?
It is too formal for breakfast.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
He refused to divulge information.
Score: /5
Summary
Divulge is the sophisticated choice for revealing sensitive information that was meant to be kept secret.
- Divulge means to reveal a secret.
- It is a formal, professional verb.
- Commonly used in law and journalism.
- Rhymes with indulge.
When to use
Use for professional secrets.
Don't use for small things
Avoid for daily chatter.
Stress the second syllable
dih-VULJ, not DIV-ulge.
Needs an object
Always divulge something.
