Quranic root
كتم
k · t · m
The root denotes hiding, covering, or withholding something from disclosure, especially speech, knowledge, or a report.
The concealment principle extends in Classical Arabic to suppressing outward manifestations such as sound, leakage, or vocalization, as in descriptions of a quiet riding camel, a silent cloud, watertight stitching, and a non-resounding bow.
- Maqāyīs · row 3932
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 21
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
كَتَمَ
katama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 21 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To conceal, suppress, or withhold a secret, report, truth, testimony, or other known matter from disclosure.
Used transitively for withholding speech or knowledge. Quranic applications include concealing testimony and truth, and concealing a report before God; the object need not be a physical thing.
- Lane · entry 32781
- Mufradāt · row 1234
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:146word 11
“surely they conceal”
Quran 2:283word 25
“conceals it”
Quran 4:42word 12
“they will (be able to) hide”
To conceal what God has bestowed of favor, thereby showing ingratitude for the blessing.
A specific Quranic use with divine favor: concealing the favor is explained as كفران النعمة, ingratitude or failure to acknowledge the blessing.
- Mufradāt · row 1234
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:37word 6
“and hide”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:33تَكْتُمُونَconceal
- 2:42وَتَكْتُمُوا۟and conceal
- 2:72تَكْتُمُونَconcealing
- 2:140كَتَمَconcealed
- 2:146لَيَكْتُمُونَsurely they conceal
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 4 Classical meanings
تَكَتَّمَ
To conceal or hide oneself.
Form V reflexive or intransitive construction, distinct from the basic transitive verb.
- Lane · entry 32782
تَكَاتَمُوا
To conceal things from one another; to practice mutual concealment.
Form VI reciprocal construction involving concealment between or among participants.
- Lane · entry 32783
كَتُومٌ
A strict concealer of secrets.
An intensive descriptive adjective for one characterized by rigorous secrecy.
- Lane · entry 32784
كَاتِمٌ
Concealed or hidden, with the form كَاتِمٌ used in the meaning of مَكْتُومٌ.
A lexicalized usage in which the active-participle form carries a passive meaning.
- Lane · entry 32785