Meaning & use
exposed
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Not covered or sheltered, and open to weather or danger.
Grammar: Often with to.
Patterns
- exposed to something
The exposed hillside gets strong winds.
Exposed pipes can freeze.
The camp was exposed to the cold.
adjectiveafter a verb
Revealed after being hidden, as a secret or wrongdoing.
Grammar: Often passive meaning.
Patterns
- be exposed as something
He was exposed as a fraud.
The lie was exposed.
adjectiveafter a verbfinance
At risk of loss or harm, especially financially.
Grammar: Business.
Patterns
- be exposed to something
The bank is exposed to bad loans.
I felt exposed and vulnerable.
adjectiveafter a verb
Having been shown to or experienced something.
Grammar: With to.
Patterns
- exposed to something
Children exposed to music learn faster.
He was exposed to many cultures.
Word forms
| comparative | more exposed |
|---|---|
| superlative | most exposed |
Common combinations
- exposed to
- Exposed to sunlight.
- exposed brick
- The flat has exposed brick.
- feel exposed
- I felt exposed on stage.
- fully exposed
- The wires were fully exposed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- uncovered
- Neutral.
- vulnerable
- At risk.
- unprotected
- Without shelter.
- revealed
- Made known.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: exposed or exposé?
exposed vs exposé
An exposé is a news report revealing a scandal.
Practice
The climbers were ___ to freezing wind on the open ridge.
Choose one answer.
Exposed to means open to. The others mean the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exposed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.