To hide means to put something (or yourself) where it can't easily be seen or found. When you hide a birthday present in your closet, you're keeping it out of sight until the right moment. When you hide behind a tree during hide-and-seek, you're positioning yourself so the seeker can't spot you.

Animals hide from predators by blending into their surroundings or finding shelter. A rabbit might hide in tall grass, while an octopus can change its color to hide against the ocean floor. People hide things for many reasons: to keep them safe, to surprise someone later, or sometimes to avoid getting in trouble.

The word can also mean keeping information secret. If you hide your disappointment after losing a game, you're controlling your face and voice so others don't see how you really feel. Someone might hide the truth.

As a noun, hide also refers to an animal's skin, especially when it's been removed and treated to make leather. A cowhide might become a belt or a baseball glove.