What does unseal mean?
Unseal is a formal verb meaning to remove a seal or fastening from something, especially a document, envelope, or record. It can therefore describe the physical act of opening a sealed object, as in unsealing an envelope or court file. In figurative and legal usage, unseal means to make confidential information publicly accessible or officially available, often through an order, decision, or announcement. The word is used in British and American English, although it tends to sound especially formal in legal, governmental, journalistic, and business contexts. It is more precise than simply saying that something was opened because it emphasizes the prior act of sealing and the deliberate reversal of that act. Unseal can also be used for information released to the public, such as records, evidence, or research findings, and carries connotations of disclosure and institutional authority rather than casual revelation.
To remove the seal from a document, envelope, container, or other object, making its contents accessible.
"The archivist unsealed the envelope in front of the witnesses."
This literal sense is especially common in formal, historical, legal, and administrative contexts.
To disclose confidential or officially restricted information, making it public or available to authorized parties.
"The tribunal unsealed its findings after the public hearing."
This figurative sense is particularly associated with legal proceedings, government records, investigations, and journalism.
Unsealing a document is a literal undoing of a promise of secrecy: a single legal or administrative act can turn a hidden record into public knowledge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unseal come from?
Unseal was formed in English by combining the prefix un-, meaning to reverse or undo an action, with seal in the sense of a fastening or closed document. In this sense, seal comes through Anglo-French from Latin sigillum, referring to a signet or official mark used to authenticate a document. The literal development of unseal is therefore “to remove the sealing from,” while its figurative use developed naturally from the idea of making sealed or confidential material accessible.
Related word forms
How unseal is actually used
Unseal is most common in formal, legal, administrative, and journalistic contexts. It is more specific than the general word open because it implies that something was deliberately closed, sealed, or restricted.
Easily confused with unseal
Unseal means to open or make known something that was closed or confidential, whereas unseen means not seen or noticed.