nondisclosure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nondisclosure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or business contexts to refer to an agreement or clause that prevents the sharing of confidential information. Example: "The company required all employees to sign a nondisclosure agreement to protect its trade secrets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

IBM had first approached Digital Research to inquire about its CP/M operating system, but Digital's executives balked at signing IBM's nondisclosure agreement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Financial adviser Moelis & Co is now expected to send out nondisclosure agreements and detailed financial information to interested parties next week.

Independent

Friends say that she signed a nondisclosure document as part of her final settlement with the Times, agreeing not to reveal the financial terms of her termination.

The New Yorker

Which meant, to Carl, that in one way or another maybe Maura was keeping to her own nondisclosure agreement, one that she'd struck with herself or others, sometime in the past, far from here.

The New Yorker

Then, Gupta said, he and his staff drew up agreements with the major international patent offices — in Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United States — "to make all the information accessible to their examiners on a nondisclosure basis".

The New Yorker

If you want a sense of the violation, and feeling of isolation, that can occur when this is not the case, read recommendation No. 8: "Nondisclosure orders should never be issued in a manner that prevents the recipient of the order from seeking legal counsel in order to challenge the order's legality".

The New Yorker

Vincent is bound by a nondisclosure agreement, and will say little about working with Palin, but she told me that she questioned the way McCain had chosen his running mate: "Whatever anyone's opinion of her faults and failings, to tap someone to be a Veep candidate a few days before the Convention was really not the best plan".

The New Yorker

The company has a culture of secrecy — with nondisclosure agreements and internal security that can make it seem like an intelligence agency.

The New Yorker

But the room's minimalism derives from nondisclosure more than from dogma.

The New Yorker

Since a rival version could be hastily crowd-sourced on the Internet, the assistants signed nondisclosure agreements.

The New Yorker

But, of course, marriage also has a Hegelian side — the reflection of the couple, of the new family, in the public realm — and the third inequality that Soderbergh spotlights is the public hostility to homosexuality that prevented the couple from making their relationship known (as reflected in the nondisclosure agreement that Thorson was forced to sign in his settlement with Liberace).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nondisclosure" in legal contexts, ensure it's part of a well-defined agreement outlining the scope of confidentiality and the consequences of breach.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "nondisclosure" agreement covers all types of information. Clearly define what constitutes confidential information within the agreement to prevent future disputes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nondisclosure" is that of a noun. It often acts as a subject or object, denoting the act or policy of not disclosing information. Ludwig confirms that the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

34%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

25%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nondisclosure" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of keeping information private. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal contexts such as business and law, as well as in news media when reporting on related agreements or policies. Its purpose is to highlight restrictions on information sharing, and it maintains a professional register. Alternative phrases include "confidentiality" and "non-disclosure agreement". When employing "nondisclosure", it is crucial to clearly define the scope of confidential information to avoid misunderstandings. The frequency of use is very common as shown by the examples, which further confirms its role in various aspects of professional and legal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Non-disclosure agreement

A legally binding contract that prohibits sharing information.

Confidentiality agreement

A formal agreement to maintain secrecy.

Confidentiality

Focuses on the state of keeping information secret.

Secrecy

Emphasizes the act of keeping something hidden.

Proprietary information protection

Focuses on safeguarding commercially sensitive information.

Privacy

Highlights the right to keep personal matters secret.

Withholding of information

Highlights the act of deliberately not sharing information.

Information restriction

Highlights limitations on access to information.

Data protection

Focuses on safeguarding data from unauthorized access.

Concealment

Emphasizes the act of hiding information.

FAQs

How is "nondisclosure" typically used in legal documents?

In legal documents, "nondisclosure" usually refers to an obligation or agreement to keep certain information confidential. A "non-disclosure agreement" (NDA) is a common legal tool to ensure this.

What are some alternatives to the word "nondisclosure"?

Alternatives to "nondisclosure" include "confidentiality", "secrecy", and "privacy", depending on the context. For agreements, "confidentiality agreement" is a close synonym.

What is the difference between "nondisclosure" and "confidentiality"?

"Nondisclosure" emphasizes the act of not revealing information, while "confidentiality" stresses the state of keeping information secret. They are often used interchangeably but "nondisclosure" is often associated with legal agreements.

What happens if a "nondisclosure" agreement is violated?

Violating a "nondisclosure" agreement can lead to legal consequences, including lawsuits for breach of contract, damages, and injunctions to prevent further "disclosure" of confidential information.