In professional, legal, and everyday contexts, the word nondisclosure appears frequently especially when discussing agreements or confidential information. This raises an interesting question for writers, editors, and curious readers: is nondisclosure one word or two? Clarity in writing and contract language is crucial, and understanding whether to write nondisclosure or non-disclosure can make a difference in consistency and credibility. To answer this question properly, we must explore the grammatical rules, usage trends, and official guidance from dictionaries and style manuals.
Understanding Compound Words in English
To determine if nondisclosure is one word, we first need to understand how compound words work in the English language. Compound words are formed when two or more words are joined together to create a new word with a specific meaning. There are three types of compound words:
- Closed compounds: These words are joined with no space or hyphen (e.g., toothbrush, notebook, football).
- Hyphenated compounds: These words use a hyphen between parts (e.g., mother-in-law, part-time, well-being).
- Open compounds: These are written as two separate words (e.g., high school, post office, coffee table).
Nondisclosure falls into the category of compound words. But the key question remains: is it a closed compound word, or should it be hyphenated?
Official Dictionary Guidance
According to major English dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster, Oxford English Dictionary, and American Heritage Dictionary, nondisclosure is indeed written as a single word without a hyphen or space. Merriam-Webster, for instance, defines nondisclosure as a noun meaning failure or refusal to disclose or reveal information. It is commonly used in legal contexts, especially when referring to a nondisclosure agreement (often abbreviated as NDA).
This suggests that the correct form is the closed compound nondisclosure. The one-word version has been widely accepted in both American and British English usage, particularly in legal, business, and academic writing.
Common Usage in Legal and Business Contexts
The term nondisclosure is most often encountered in the phrase nondisclosure agreement, a legally binding document that prevents parties from sharing confidential information. In legal contracts, clarity and consistency in terminology are essential. Most legal professionals use the one-word version, nondisclosure, in documentation, ensuring uniform language across agreements.
In practice, legal professionals and corporate writers seldom use the hyphenated or two-word forms like non-disclosure or non disclosure. While these alternatives may be seen occasionally, especially in informal writing or on less formal websites, they are considered nonstandard according to style guides and dictionaries.
What About Non-disclosure with a Hyphen?
Some writers may be tempted to use non-disclosure with a hyphen, especially if they are applying general grammar rules about prefixes. For example, it is common to hyphenate words where the prefix ends and the root begins with the same letter (e.g., re-entry). However, in the case of nondisclosure, there is no doubling of letters, and the combined form does not present any readability issues.
As such, hyphenating non-disclosure is usually unnecessary. Style guides such as the Chicago Manual of Style and the Associated Press Stylebook recommend using the closed form when a word is clearly understood and established in standard English. Nondisclosure meets these criteria, making the one-word version preferable.
Grammatical Role and Function
Grammatically, nondisclosure is a noun. It refers to the act or practice of not disclosing or revealing information. For example:
- The employee signed a nondisclosure before starting work.
- Nondisclosure of material facts can lead to legal consequences.
It is important to distinguish between nondisclosure as a noun and phrases like non-disclosing, which may serve different grammatical functions. Using the correct form enhances clarity and ensures your writing adheres to professional standards.
Spelling Consistency and SEO Considerations
From a search engine optimization (SEO) standpoint, using the standardized spelling nondisclosure is essential. Search engines favor consistency in keyword usage. If your topic, blog post, or webpage alternates between nondisclosure, non-disclosure, and non disclosure, it may harm your content’s readability and search visibility.
Using the correct and recognized form also improves user trust. Readers expect to see terms like nondisclosure agreement presented in the way they appear in formal contracts, job postings, and professional publications. Maintaining consistency throughout your content contributes to both SEO performance and credibility.
Variants in International English
While nondisclosure is standard in American English, British English sometimes favors hyphenation in similar compound words. However, in legal and business settings, even British English tends to adopt the closed form nondisclosure. This global trend toward uniformity is driven by cross-border commerce, international law, and standardized legal language.
If you are writing for an international audience, it’s best to check your regional style guide or stick with the form most commonly used in global legal documents. More often than not, nondisclosure without a hyphen will be the appropriate choice.
So, is nondisclosure one word? Yes, it is. The term is widely accepted as a closed compound noun, especially in legal, corporate, and academic contexts. While variations such as non-disclosure or non disclosure might appear informally or online, they are not standard and should generally be avoided in professional writing.
Writers aiming for clarity, consistency, and SEO optimization should use nondisclosure as one word. Whether you are drafting a contract, preparing legal documentation, or writing content on confidentiality, using the correct form strengthens the professionalism and accuracy of your language.