åbenlyse

Åbenlyse is a verb found in Danish and Norwegian that means to reveal openly, to make something plainly evident, or to disclose publicly. The term conveys the act of exposing information or motives in a way that aims to leave little doubt about its truth or significance. In modern usage it is relatively uncommon outside formal, literary, or investigative contexts, with speakers often preferring more common verbs for disclosure.

Etymology and sense

The word appears to be a compound built from open (åben/open) and light/illuminate (lyse), reflecting a sense of making something visible or obvious. It is related to the adjective åbenlys, meaning obvious. The verb form carries a intentional, outward-facing connotation of bringing information into the open rather than merely discovering it.

Usage and nuance

Åbenlyse is typically transitive, taking an object such as information, documents, or motives. It suggests deliberate exposure, not passive discovery. Because of its formal tone, it frequently occurs in written reporting, political rhetoric, or philosophical discussion. In everyday Danish and Norwegian, speakers often substitute afsløre (to reveal) or gjøre kjent/ gjøre kjent publicly to convey a similar meaning.

Related terms

The adjective åbenlys means obvious. For the act of revealing, Danish and Norwegian commonly use afsløre, while åpenbare (in some contexts) can function in related senses. Registers and exact forms vary by dialect and style.

See also

Obviousness, disclosure, transparency.