verb
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to inform; tell
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to draw attention to; make known; announce
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of notify
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English notifien, from Middle French notifier, from Latin nōtificāre, from (g)nōt(us), past participle of (g)nōscere “to come to know” ( see also know 1) + -ificāre -ify
Explanation
To notify is to officially give someone a piece of information. If your poem wins the local poetry competition, the judges will notify you that you're the winner. When you notify someone about something, it can be good or bad news. New parents notify friends and family about their baby's birth. When a library's money problems force it to close on Sundays, it might notify its patrons with an email or a letter. Notify comes from the Latin notificare, "to make known," which stems from notus, "known," and facere, "make or do."
Vocabulary lists containing notify
Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 5
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Louisiana’s Way Home
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The alert at 10:49 a.m. was sent via the city’s Notify NYC electronic alert system, which has more than 1 million subscribers.
From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2024
Notify them that, if you receive any more paper solicitations, your support will end.
From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2023
In the city of L.A., that’s Notify L.A.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2023
In the Windows Update screen, select Advanced options Look for Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating and toggle it on.
From The Verge • Apr. 16, 2022
Notify student of and describe any changes made to the classroom.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
