apprise
1 Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used with object)
verb
Etymology
Origin of apprise
First recorded in 1685–95; from French appris “taught, informed,” past participle of apprendre; see apprehend
Explanation
To apprise someone about something is to fill them in, to give them the scoop. If someone in your immediate family wins the mega-bucks lottery, you want to be the first one to be apprised of that event! Don't confuse the verbs apprise and appraise. Appraise means to determine the value of something — either its quality or its monetary worth. Apprise, on the other hand, means to inform or make aware. This word has a rather formal, weighty tone. Presidents get apprised of foreign affairs, but you will most likely not get apprised of weather conditions or dinner plans.
Vocabulary lists containing apprise
ASVAB Word Knowledge
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unit 1: Telling Details
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Once he rules, Merchan said, he will hold a hybrid conference — lawyers in court, Trump appearing by video — where he will apprise him of the dos and don’ts of his impending order.
From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2023
A multi-agency team is conducting the investigation, he said, adding that the team will apprise authorities when they are done with the probe.
From Reuters ● Dec. 9, 2022
This one, for Crypto.com, stars LeBron James, who has traveled back in time to 2003 to apprise his younger self about all of the marvels that the future holds in store.
From Slate ● Feb. 14, 2022
A critic is assigned to apprise and compare, to set down official verdicts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2019
“I’ve been expecting you. I imagine you wish to call Miss Perumal and apprise her of your situation.”
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
The 22-year-old digital fundraising associate keeps ChatGPT apprised of his symptoms.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
Jaishankar said he "apprised Secretary Rubio of challenges that legitimate travellers face in respect of visa issuance".
From Barron's ● May 24, 2026
Collins recently reached two years without a drink — something he was apprised of by his assistant, who marked the occasion by bringing him a “2” balloon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026
Or, “I am following the guidelines of the trust and keeping little Laura’s parents apprised of all actions. If you want to discuss it, you should ask them.”
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 16, 2026
The lawyer suggested that Leila keep him apprised of anything happening in the case, such as it was.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
At a Menlo Park, California, branch, customers were greeted by a taped up press release apprising them the bank had moved into receivership and would be known as Deposit Insurance National Bank of Santa Clara.
From Reuters ● Mar. 10, 2023
His complaint alleges the government obtained the warrant in bad faith, and without apprising the magistrate judge of Lindell’s role in the Colorado case.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2022
A villager had reached out to her, and she tweeted at the authorities, apprising them of the problem.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2022
A relative of Mr. MacLeod’s who worked in McClelland & Stewart’s warehouse was charged with apprising him of novelistic developments.
From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2014
He at the same time sent a message to Washington, apprising him of this movement and of his certainty of success.
From The Student's Life of Washington; Condensed from the Larger Work of Washington Irving For Young Persons and for the Use of Schools by Washington Irving
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.
