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
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| person or thing that continues to resist or refuse | holdout | Use the closed noun. |
| verb: continue resisting, last, or offer hope/possibility | hold out | Use two words for the verb phrase. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you naming a resistant person/thing rather than describing the action?
If yes: Use “holdout.”
If no: Use “hold out” when the words form the verb phrase.
Caveat: The verb has several senses, but its spelling remains two words; use the closed form for the noun.
Examples
The last holdout accepted the agreement.
“Holdout” is a noun naming the remaining resister.
They continued to hold out for better terms.
“Hold out” is the verb phrase.
The supplies may hold out until Friday.
The two-word verb can also mean last or remain sufficient.
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