Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of making something known or revealing something that was previously secret or private: "Disclosure" refers to the process of formally or informally sharing information that was not previously available or was concealed.
   • A fact or piece of information that is revealed: "Disclosure" can also refer to the specific item of information that is made public or shared.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The company's financial disclosure revealed unexpected losses. (The act of revealing the company's finances showed losses that were not anticipated.)
  • Her disclosure about her past changed everything. (The specific fact she revealed about her history altered the situation completely.)
  • Full disclosure of the risks is required by law. (The complete act of making all risks known is legally mandatory.)

Advanced Usage

• "Full disclosure": The practice of revealing all relevant information, often used in legal, financial, or ethical contexts to ensure transparency.
  • The author began his memoir with a statement of full disclosure.
• "Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)": A legal contract that creates a confidential relationship, obligating one or more parties not to reveal certain information.
  • All employees must sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect trade secrets.

Variants and Related Words

• Disclose (verb): To make new or secret information known.
  • The report disclosed several safety violations.
• Disclosable (adj): Suitable or required to be revealed.
  • The information is not disclosable to the public at this time.

Synonyms

• Revelation: The making known of something that was secret or unknown.
• Exposure: The act of making something visible or public, often something undesirable.
• Divulgence: The act of making private or sensitive information known.

Related Phrases

• Make a disclosure: To formally or officially reveal information.
  • The witness was forced to make a disclosure to the court.
• Prior disclosure: Information that was revealed or made available at an earlier time.
  • The patent was denied due to prior disclosure of the invention.

Related Idioms

• Disclosure is the best policy: A variation of "honesty is the best policy," emphasizing that revealing the truth is preferable to concealment, especially in complex situations.
  • In this sensitive negotiation, remember that disclosure is often the best policy.

Noun

1. the speech act of making something evident