no one and no-one - the difference

The Quick Answer
Spell no one without a hyphen. i.e., not no-one.

No Hyphen

The formal spelling of no one is without a hyphen.

Example:


Correct spelling of no one
(Sign in US laundry room)

Hyphen Becoming Acceptable

In recent years, the no-one version has become more popular. Some grammarians condone the hyphenated version, claiming it eliminates ambiguity with no one as in "No one person can overcome her power."  However, the times when there would be true ambiguity are very seldom. Here is one example:
  • No one can will work.
    • (Is the subject "No one can" or "No one"?)

See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose?
Common errors and FAQs Easily confused words List of easily confused words