vertraulicher

Vertraulicher is the comparative form of the German adjective vertraulich, meaning more confidential or more private. It is used to indicate a higher level of confidentiality in information, communications, or procedures compared with something less confidential.

In practice, vertraulicher describes a degree of secrecy or sensitivity that requires heightened protection. It can appear in predicative position after forms of sein (e.g., Das Dokument ist vertraulicher geworden) or attributively with the appropriate article-endings (e.g., ein vertraulicherer Bericht, eine vertraulichere Mitteilung, das vertraulichere Dokument). The exact ending varies with gender, number, and case, following standard German adjective-declension rules.

Etymology and related terms: vertraulicher derives from vertraulich, which itself stems from Vertrauen (to trust) and the suffix -lich, forming a meaning related to trustworthiness and discretion. Related words include Vertraulichkeit (confidentiality), vertraulich bleiben (to remain confidential), and stronger classifications such as streng vertraulich (strictly confidential) or geheim (secret).

Usage and nuance: vertraulicher denotes a higher level of discretion than vertraulich. It is common in business, legal, governmental, and security contexts where information handling requires precise labeling. While synonymous with geheim in some contexts, vertraulich emphasizes trust and privacy rather than absolute secrecy, and often appears in internal communications and data-protection practices.

See also: confidential in English, Geheimhaltung, Vertraulichkeit.