disclose
diss-KLOHZ
/dɪsˈkloʊz/
To make secret or new information known.
In business, this is often a mandatory legal requirement, such as disclosing financial losses to shareholders.
The story behind the word. From 'dis-' (the opposite of) and 'claudere' (to shut). To disclose is to 'un-shut' the door on information.
Word relationships
- reveal: Reveal is more general; disclose often implies a formal or legal obligation to make something known.
- divulge: Divulge often implies sharing a secret that was meant to be kept private.
- conceal: Conceal is the active hiding of information.
Commonly confused with
- expose: Expose often has a negative connotation of uncovering a crime; disclose is the neutral act of providing information.
Word family
- disclosure (noun): The action of making new or secret information known.
Collocations
- full disclosure
- failure to disclose
- disclose information
Idioms & expressions
- come clean
Example sentences
- "Publicly traded companies are required by law to disclose any material information that might affect their stock price." Financial Reporting
Memory hook
To disclose is to 'Dis-' (undo) the 'Close'—you open up the secret. Un-shut the door.
When not to use
Don't use for casual gossip; use it for formal revelations of important facts.
Fun facts
- An 'NDA' or Non-Disclosure Agreement is a legal contract used to prevent the sharing of sensitive company secrets.
Related words
Explore more words
disclosure, confide, disseminate, open up, exposé, Communicate
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