What does divulgence mean?
Divulgence is the act of revealing something that has been kept secret or private, particularly information that someone had an obligation to protect. It is the noun form of the verb 'divulge,' which comes from the Latin 'divulgare,' meaning 'to publish' or 'make known to the people.' The word carries a formal register and appears most often in legal, journalistic, and corporate contexts — for example, in discussions of leaked documents, breached confidentiality agreements, or the unauthorized release of personal data. Unlike neutral terms such as 'announcement,' divulgence typically implies that the information revealed was sensitive, confidential, or not intended for public knowledge. Because more common synonyms like 'disclosure' and 'revelation' dominate everyday usage, 'divulgence' lends writing a slightly elevated, precise tone, making it useful when the emphasis falls on the breach of secrecy itself rather than on the content revealed or its consequences.
nounThe act or process of making something known that was previously private or secret, especially information that was meant to be kept confidential.
- The act of disclosing or revealing information previously kept secret or private.
"The whistleblower's divulgence of the company's financial records triggered a federal investigation."
"The journalist faced legal threats over her divulgence of classified documents."
"Under the terms of the agreement, any divulgence of trade secrets would result in termination."
Rarely used in the plural; the uncountable singular form is standard even when referring to multiple acts of disclosure.
"The report catalogued several divulgences of classified material over the past year."
Every scandal in history has hinged on a single moment of divulgence — the instant a secret stops being one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of divulgence
Divulgence derives from the verb 'divulge,' which entered English in the late 15th century from the Latin 'divulgare,' formed from 'dis-' (indicating spread or extension) and 'vulgus' (the common people), literally meaning 'to make known among the people.' The noun form developed later as a natural derivation, following the pattern of Latinate verbs taking '-ence' endings. It shares its root with words like 'vulgar' and 'vulgarize,' all tracing back to the same Latin source concerning the common populace.
Related word forms
How divulgence is actually used
Formal and somewhat rare in everyday speech; 'disclosure' and 'revelation' are far more common in both formal and informal contexts. Divulgence tends to appear in legal, journalistic, and corporate writing, often with a connotation of impropriety when the information revealed was under an obligation of secrecy.
Easily confused with divulgence
Indulgence refers to the act of allowing oneself or another to enjoy a pleasure or yielding to a desire, whereas divulgence is the act of revealing secret information.