self-disclosure: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Psychological
Quick answer
What does “self-disclosure” mean?
The act of revealing personal, private, or intimate information about oneself to another person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of revealing personal, private, or intimate information about oneself to another person.
A deliberate communication process where an individual shares thoughts, feelings, experiences, or facts that are not readily apparent, often to build trust, intimacy, or understanding in a relationship. In psychology, it refers to a key component of therapeutic and interpersonal processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The hyphen is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties, strongly associated with psychological and counselling contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic/psychological texts, but the term is well-established in both.
Grammar
How to Use “self-disclosure” in a Sentence
self-disclosure to [person/group]self-disclosure about [topic]self-disclosure in [context/setting]self-disclosure by [agent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-disclosure” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The client was encouraged to disclose more about her childhood.
- He carefully disclosed his financial worries to his partner.
American English
- The patient finally disclosed the source of her anxiety.
- You shouldn't feel pressured to disclose personal information online.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. Use 'in a self-disclosing way' or similar.]
- [No standard adverbial form.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form. Use 'self-disclosingly' is non-standard/rare.]
- [No standard adverbial form.]
adjective
British English
- The therapy session created a self-disclosure-friendly atmosphere.
- His self-disclosure style was measured and gradual.
American English
- The counselor used a self-disclosure technique to build rapport.
- Her self-disclosure statement was both professional and personal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in leadership/team-building contexts discussing trust and psychological safety.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, communication studies, and counselling literature.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. More likely in discussions about relationships, therapy, or personal growth.
Technical
Core term in psychotherapy, counselling psychology, and interpersonal communication theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-disclosure”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-disclosure”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-disclosure”
- Using it as a verb ('He self-disclosed his past'). The verb is 'to disclose' or 'to reveal'.
- Misspelling as 'self-disclosure' (one word) or 'self disclosure' (no hyphen).
- Using it to mean simply 'talking about oneself' without the element of revealing something private.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While it builds intimacy and trust, inappropriate or excessive self-disclosure (oversharing) can damage relationships or professional boundaries.
Honesty is a broader character trait. Self-disclosure is a specific communicative act where honesty is applied to revealing previously unknown personal information.
Yes, online self-disclosure is a major area of research, exploring how people reveal personal information on social media, forums, and in online therapy.
It is sometimes used but is considered non-standard or jargon by many dictionaries. The preferred verbs are 'to disclose', 'to reveal', or 'to share'.
The act of revealing personal, private, or intimate information about oneself to another person.
Self-disclosure is usually formal, academic, psychological in register.
Self-disclosure: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself dɪˈskləʊʒə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself dɪˈskloʊʒər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly use 'self-disclosure'. Related: 'to open up', 'to let someone in', 'to wear one's heart on one's sleeve']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DISCO where you LOSE (disclose) your SELF-consciousness and reveal your true self.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF-DISCLOSURE IS UNVEILING / SELF-DISCLOSURE IS A GIFT (of trust).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'self-disclosure' MOST precisely used?