What does unsealing mean?
Unsealing means opening something that has been sealed or making concealed information publicly known. The term can describe a literal act, such as breaking a seal on an envelope, container, package, or official record. It also has an established figurative use for disclosures of significance, particularly in legal, governmental, and journalistic contexts: the unsealing of evidence, a report, or the results of an investigation. As a verb, unsealing similarly means removing a seal or revealing previously hidden information. In everyday physical contexts, opening is often more familiar, while unsealing may suggest that the seal carried authority, secrecy, or a formal procedure. The word is consequently useful where neutrality matters but the act has a notable consequence, such as exposing confidential material or allowing the public to examine an official document.
The act of breaking or removing a seal, especially from an object or official document; figuratively, the disclosure of concealed information.
"The unsealing of the envelope was delayed until the ceremony had ended."
Often used with "of" and especially common in formal or figurative contexts.
To break or remove the seal from an object or document; figuratively, to reveal concealed information.
"Authorities unsealed the report after the inquiry was complete."
The literal sense is ordinary, while figurative uses often convey formality, significance, or public disclosure.
Usually used as an uncountable noun, with unsealings reserved for individually counted instances.
"The delayed unsealings of the two packages caused confusion."
One word can both open a package and expose a secret: unsealing works literally and figuratively.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unsealing come from?
Unsealing was formed by combining the prefix un-, meaning the reversal or undoing of an action, with seal, the verb meaning to close securely. The base verb seal came through Old French from Latin sigillare, a word associated with seals and authenticated documents. The gerund or verbal noun unsealing developed alongside the verb, and figurative use for the disclosure of concealed information followed the word's established literal sense.
Related word forms
How unsealing is actually used
The word is neutral when describing the physical opening of a sealed object, but figurative uses often have a formal, ceremonial, legal, or journalistic tone. As a noun, it is commonly used in the pattern "the unsealing of" something.
Easily confused with unsealing
Unsealing focuses on opening something that has been closed or sealed, whereas revealing focuses on disclosing information or making something known.