loosely veiled

USAGE SUMMARY

"loosely veiled" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which the true facts or motives are thinly disguised. For example, "The mayor's comments were a loosely veiled attempt to garner favor from his base."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Camus and Sartre appear, loosely veiled, as do their political conflicts.

The Guardian - Books

The island was loosely veiled by low gray clouds — a collaboration of the west wind and moist lake air.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That luscious painting shows nudity in all its full, hedonistic flow, with Venus herself, loosely and teasingly veiled, tenderly bunching a long wreathing of her auburn hair in her left hand as she simultaneously touches at her pudenda.

Independent

"Gorilla" is a thinly veiled novel based loosely on the life of a Serbian thug named Stevan Markovic.

The New Yorker

Women are veiled.

The New York Times

Others wore veiled masks.

The New York Times

All the women were veiled.

The New Yorker

(And even that is veiled).

The New Yorker

Martha went around veiled.

The New Yorker

They cannot be veiled.

The Guardian - Arts

Everything about it breathes veiled discretion.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "loosely veiled" when you want to indicate that something is not entirely hidden, but the attempt at concealment is weak or transparent. This phrase works well in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

While "loosely veiled" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to enhance clarity and sophistication, such as "thinly disguised" or "scarcely apparent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loosely veiled" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not entirely hidden or concealed. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "loosely veiled" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something partially concealed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While most common in news and media, where it describes thinly disguised actions or situations, it's relatively rare overall. Alternatives include "thinly disguised" and "barely concealed". When using the phrase, consider whether a more precise term might better suit a formal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinly disguised

Emphasis shifts to the act of disguising, implying deliberate concealment, though not effectively.

barely concealed

Highlights the minimal effort or ability to hide something.

partially hidden

Focuses on the aspect of being not entirely visible or known.

lightly masked

Uses a metaphor of a mask, suggesting a superficial attempt to cover something.

scarcely apparent

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing or understanding something.

faintly suggested

Indicates that something is implied but not explicitly stated.

subtly implied

Highlights the indirect and delicate nature of the communication.

obliquely referenced

Focuses on the indirect nature of the reference or mention.

vaguely hinted

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and precision in the suggestion.

softly muted

Implies that something is toned down or restrained, making it less obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "loosely veiled" in a sentence?

You can use "loosely veiled" to describe something that is partially concealed or disguised. For example: "The politician's speech was a "loosely veiled" attempt to criticize his opponent."

What are some alternatives to "loosely veiled"?

Alternatives to "loosely veiled" include "thinly disguised", "barely concealed", or "partially hidden depending on the specific context".

Is "loosely veiled" a formal or informal expression?

"Loosely veiled" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more precise language might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What does it mean when something is described as "loosely veiled"?

When something is described as "loosely veiled", it means that it is not entirely hidden or concealed; the attempt to hide it is weak, and it is relatively easy to see through the disguise.