divulgate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicFormal / Literary / Archaic / Technical (historical legal/religious)
Quick answer
What does “divulgate” mean?
To make known or public.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make known or public; to disclose, especially information previously private or secret.
In modern usage, primarily a formal, literary, or archaic synonym for 'divulge' or 'reveal'. Historically used in legal and religious contexts to mean 'to publish' or 'to proclaim'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or legal texts.
Connotations
Connotes formality, antiquity, and sometimes a sense of proclamation or official publication.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use. 'Divulge' is the standard modern term.
Grammar
How to Use “divulgate” in a Sentence
[Subject] divulgate(s) [Object] (to [Recipient])It is divulgated that [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “divulgate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The historian refused to divulgate his sources.
- The charter forbade members to divulgate the society's rituals.
- It was divulgated in the London Gazette.
American English
- The whistleblower chose to divulgate the documents.
- The court order prevented them from divulgating the evidence.
- The findings were divulgated in a formal proclamation.
adverb
British English
- No contemporary adverbial use.
American English
- No contemporary adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No contemporary adjectival use.
American English
- No contemporary adjectival use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Might appear in historical or literary analysis discussing older texts.
Everyday
Never used; would sound unnatural and pretentious.
Technical
Possibly in historical legal or theological writing referring to the act of official publication.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “divulgate”
- Using it in modern speech/writing. Incorrectly conjugating (e.g., 'divulgated' is the simple past). Confusing it with 'divulge' in meaning (they are synonyms, but register differs).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic. It is the etymological source of the modern word 'divulge' and was used in earlier centuries.
Always use 'divulge' for modern communication. Use 'divulgate' only if you are intentionally writing in an archaic or stylistically formal/legal style.
The related noun is 'divulgation' (also archaic), meaning the act of making something publicly known. The modern equivalent is 'divulgence' or 'disclosure'.
It is equally rare and archaic in both. There is no significant regional preference for this obsolete term.
To make known or public.
Divulgate is usually formal / literary / archaic / technical (historical legal/religious) in register.
Divulgate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʌɪvəlɡeɪt/, /dɪˈvʌlɡeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈvʌlɡeɪt/, /ˈdaɪvəlˌɡeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this archaic form.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DIVULGATE' sounds like 'DIVULGE' + '-ATE' (a verb ending). It's the older, more formal cousin of 'divulge'.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A CONCEALED OBJECT (bringing it into the light); COMMUNICATION IS A FLOW (releasing information).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'divulgate' MOST likely to be found?