What does divulge mean?
Word: Divulge
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Divulge means to tell someone a piece of information that was supposed to stay secret.
How do you spell divulge?
Syllables: di - vulge
Tricky part: The opening is di, not de. Devulge is the slip most pupils make, since so many verbs begin with de.
Watch out for: devulge, duvulge
Memory tip: Disclose means nearly the same thing, and the two words open with the same pair of letters.
Divulge in a sentence
Example 1: The goalkeeper would not divulge his secret for saving penalties.
Example 2: Mum refused to divulge what was in the birthday parcel.
Example 3: Please do not divulge your password to anyone.
Fun Fact
It comes from Latin for making something known to the crowd, which is exactly what happens when a secret gets out.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
divu_____
a) lj
b) lgee
c) lge
d) ldge
Show answer
c) lge. The j sound at the end is spelt just as it is in bulge.
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
A journalist may refuse to ___ the name of the person who gave her the story.
a) devote
b) divulge
c) diverge
d) dilute
Show answer
b) divulge. The journalist is keeping a name private, so this is the verb for letting a secret out.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
lgveiud 1234567
a) 7536124
b) 3274615
c) 6241753
d) 5732416
Show answer
a) 7536124. Those positions give the verb for telling what should stay hidden.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with the word closest in meaning:
1. assist 2. divulge 3. vanish a. help b. disappear c. reveal
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
c) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Show answer
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. To assist is to help, to divulge is to reveal, and to vanish is to disappear.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would you be asked not to divulge?
a) the name of the capital of France
b) the colour of your school uniform
c) the clue for tomorrow's treasure hunt
d) the number of days in a week
Show answer
c) the clue for tomorrow's treasure hunt
2. If a chef divulges a family recipe, what happens next?
a) the recipe is lost for good
b) other cooks learn how the dish is made
c) the kitchen closes for the evening
d) the dish is taken off the menu
Show answer
b) other cooks learn how the dish is made
