inform

¹ American  

[in-fawrm] / ɪnˈfɔrm /

verb (used with object)

1. to give or impart knowledge of a fact or circumstance to.

   He informed them of his arrival.

   Synonyms:

   tell, advise, notify, apprise

2. to supply (oneself) with knowledge of a matter or subject.

   She informed herself of all the pertinent facts.

   Synonyms:

   acquaint

3. to give evident substance, character, or distinction to; pervade or permeate with manifest effect.

   A love of nature informed his writing.

4. to animate or inspire.

5. Obsolete.

   1. to train or instruct.

   2. to make known; disclose.

   3. to give or impart form to.

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verb (used without object)

1. to give information; supply knowledge or enlightenment.

   a magazine that entertains more than it informs.

verb phrase

1. inform on to furnish incriminating evidence about (someone) to an authority, prosecuting officer, etc..

   He informed on his accomplices.

inform ² American  

[in-fawrm] / ɪnˈfɔrm /

adjective

Obsolete.

1. without form; formless.

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inform ¹ British  

/ ɪnˈfɔːm, ɪnˈfɔːmɪdlɪ /

verb

1. (tr; often foll by of or about) to give information to; tell

2. (tr; often foll by of or about) to make conversant (with)

3. (intr; often foll by against or on) to give information regarding criminals, as to the police, etc

4. to give form to

5. to impart some essential or formative characteristic to

6. (tr) to animate or inspire

7. obsolete (tr)

   1. to train or educate

   2. to report

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inform ² British  

/ ɪnˈfɔːm /

adjective

1. archaic without shape; unformed

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Other Word Forms

• half-informing adjective
• half-informingly adverb
• informable adjective
• informedly adverb
• informingly adverb
• uninforming adjective

Etymology

Origin of inform¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enfo(u)rmen, informen, from Old French enfo(u)rmer, from Latin infōrmāre “to form, shape,” equivalent to in- in- ² + fōrmāre “to form ”

Origin of inform²

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin informis “formless, deformed,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + -formis -form

Example Sentences

But on Tuesday night, Africa’s ruling soccer authorities abruptly informed Senegal that it had been stripped of the title and handed the trophy to Morocco instead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Human rights advocates say Mexican officials rarely inform deportees of their right to seek asylum in the country.

From Los Angeles Times

He said: "It's exciting to consider that Harold's response may have been far more sophisticated than previously understood, and William's awareness of this may have informed when he chose to fight."

From BBC

Manchester United highlighted "a culture change" where players have all they need to "make an informed choice" about whether they wish to wait until their career is over before considering having children.

From BBC

“The optics are we are having a debate at USC to inform voters and educate students.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advise
• apprise
• brief
• caution
• educate
• instruct
• notify
• tell
• update
• warn