disclose
dis-KLOHZ
/disˈkləʊz/
To make secret or new information known.
Usually implies revealing something that was previously hidden or private.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'dis-' (not) and 'claudere' (to shut). It literally means 'to un-shut' or 'to open'.
Word relationships
- reveal: Reveal is more general; disclose often has a formal or legal connotation.
- conceal: To keep something secret or hidden.
Commonly confused with
- divulge: Divulge often implies revealing something personal or sensitive; disclose is more about facts and data.
Word family
- disclosure (noun): The act of making something known.
Collocations
- disclose information
- full disclosure
- fail to disclose
Example sentences
- "The company is legally required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to its shareholders." Corporate Law
- "The whistleblower refused to disclose the source of the leaked documents." Journalism
Memory hook
Dis-Close: To NOT keep the door CLOSED. Open the secret.
When not to use
Don't use it for casual gossip; 'reveal' or 'tell' is better for 'He disclosed that he likes pizza'.
Fun facts
- A 'Non-Disclosure Agreement' (NDA) is a common legal contract used to keep secrets.
Explore more words
disclosure, confide, disseminate, open up, exposé, Communicate
Also appears in
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