Holdout vs. Hold Out
“Holdout” is a one-word noun for a person, organization, or other party that keeps resisting or refusing. “Hold out” is a two-word phrasal verb with senses including continuing to resist, continuing to last, and offering hope or another possibility.
Use “holdout” for the noun referring to someone or something that continues to refuse or resist. Use “hold out” as the verb phrase for continuing to resist, lasting, or offering a possibility.
Key details
Choose the right form
| If you mean / need | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| a person or group that keeps refusing or resisting | holdout | The noun is written as one word. |
| to continue resisting or lasting | hold out | The phrasal verb is written as two words. |
| to offer hope or another possibility | hold out | This verb construction is also written as two words. |
Further guidance
Core difference
Use the documented noun or modifier form when naming a thing, result, person, or concept; use the spaced form when the words function as a verb.
Fast Test
If the expression can take ordinary verb tense or inflection in the sentence, the spaced verb form is usually the relevant choice.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge separates the noun “holdout” from the phrasal verb “hold out,” which has several verb senses.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- HOLDOUT — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Holdout noun form for a person or organization that keeps refusing or resisting
- HOLD OUT — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Hold out phrasal-verb form for continuing to resist, last, or offer a possibility