inform

verb

in·​form in-ˈfȯrm 

informed; informing; informs

transitive verb

1

: to communicate knowledge to

inform a prisoner of his rights

2

a

: to give character or essence to

the principles which inform modern teaching

b

: to be the characteristic quality of : animate

the compassion that informs her work

3

obsolete : to give material form to

4

obsolete : guide, direct

5

obsolete : to make known

intransitive verb

1

: to give information (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority

informed on a member of his own gang

2

: to impart information or knowledge

Synonyms

• fink
• grass (on) [British slang]
• rat (on)
• sing
• snitch
• split (on) [British]
• squeak
• squeal
• talk
• tell (on)

Choose the Right Synonym for inform

inform, acquaint, apprise, notify mean to make one aware of something.

inform implies the imparting of knowledge especially of facts or occurrences.

informed us of the crisis

acquaint lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with.

acquaint yourself with the keyboard

apprise implies communicating something of special interest or importance.

keep us apprised of the situation

notify implies sending notice of something requiring attention or demanding action.

notified the witness when to appear

Examples of inform in a Sentence

The book will entertain and inform you.

The arresting officer failed to inform the suspect of his rights.

He failed to inform the suspect that he had the right to remain silent.

We haven't yet been informed of her decision.

Frequent reports from the battlefield kept the general informed about how the attack was progressing.

The book will both entertain and inform.

His Catholic upbringing informs all his writing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Morningstar informs us that the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield fund has averaged a total return (coupons plus price changes) of 5.1% a year, three points better than the return on the Vanguard all-purpose fund that owns only higher quality debt. —William Baldwin, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

For democracies like India and the United States, these tools can be transformative in informing citizens and safeguarding public discourse. —Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025

The prime minister’s office said that the families of hostages had been informed of the agreement and that the government authority responsible for the hostages had been instructed to prepare for their return to Israel. —Natasha Frost, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

In one, the team informed the models that achieving a high score would incur pain. —Conor Purcell, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French enformer, from Latin informare, from in- + forma form

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing inform

• inform on/against

Kids Definition

inform

verb

in·​form in-ˈfȯ(ə)rm 

1

: to let a person know something : tell

2

: to give information so as to accuse or cause suspicion

inform against them to the police