inform

[ in-fawrm ]

/ ɪnˈfɔrm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inform ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to give or impart knowledge of a fact or circumstance to: He informed them of his arrival.

to supply (oneself) with knowledge of a matter or subject: She informed herself of all the pertinent facts.

to give evident substance, character, or distinction to; pervade or permeate with manifest effect: A love of nature informed his writing.

to animate or inspire.

Obsolete.

to train or instruct.
to make known; disclose.
to give or impart form to.

verb (used without object)

to give information; supply knowledge or enlightenment: a magazine that entertains more than it informs.

Verb Phrases

inform on, to furnish incriminating evidence about (someone) to an authority, prosecuting officer, etc.: He informed on his accomplices.

Nearby words

infomania, infomaniac, infomercial, infopreneur, infopreneurial, inform, informal, informal settlement, informal vote, informality, informally

Origin of inform

1275–1325; Middle English informen < Latin infōrmāre to form, shape, equivalent to in- in-² + fōrmāre to form; replacing Middle English enfourmen < Middle French enfourmer < Latin, as above

SYNONYMS FOR inform

1 apprise; notify, advise, tell.

2 acquaint.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inform ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·form·a·ble, adjectivein·form·ing·ly, adverbhalf-in·form·ing, adjectivehalf-in·form·ing·ly, adverb

un·in·form·ing, adjective

Definition for inform (2 of 2)

inform

[ in-fawrm ]

/ ɪnˈfɔrm /

adjective Obsolete.

without form; formless.

Origin of inform

1545–55; < Latin informis formless, deformed, equivalent to in- in-³ + -formis -form

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inform

I would like to inform everyone not to take the page too seriously, we are not trying to promote anything.
The Blinged-Up Rich Kids of Tehran on Instagram|Lizzie Crocker|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The signs, he said, were designed to inform people in the neighborhood — not to get him press.
‘Crazy’ Harlem Pastor Hates on Obama and Gays|Olivia Nuzzi|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the official said this was meant only to inform Iran about U.S. actions, not to start negotiations over what to do about ISIS.
U.S. and Iran Hit ISIS, Ignore Each Other|Eli Lake|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hobbes lacked the data of archaeology and anthropology to inform his theories about the dangerous nature of pre-state existence.
War! What Is It Good For? A Lot|Nick Romeo|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Gupta has to entertain, as much as inform, around a gruesome situation.
Sanjay Gupta, on the Ebola Front Lines|Tim Teeman|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As soon as the slave saw him enter, she ran to inform her mistress.
Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of the World|Anonymous
I expect to know very shortly; and the moment I know I will try to inform you, unless I am forbidden.
The Mystery of the Sea|Bram Stoker
His first thought was to go at once and inform St. John of what he had witnessed.
Lucretia, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
After glancing through the book, I made an excuse to hurry away and inform Her Majesty.
Two Years in the Forbidden City|The Princess Der Ling
Madeleine came to inform her young mistress, and she was on the point of going to her father, when the bell rang again.
Monsieur Cherami|Charles Paul de Kock

British Dictionary definitions for inform (1 of 2)

inform

/ (ɪnˈfɔːm) /

verb

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

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

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

to give form to

to impart some essential or formative characteristic to

(tr) to animate or inspire

(tr) obsolete

to train or educate
to report

Derived Formsinformable, adjectiveinformedly (ɪnˈfɔːmɪdlɪ), adverbinformingly, adverb

Word Origin for inform

C14: from Latin informāre to give form to, describe, from formāre to form

British Dictionary definitions for inform (2 of 2)

inform

/ (ɪnˈfɔːm) /

adjective

archaic without shape; unformed

Word Origin for inform

C16: from Latin informis from in- 1 + forma shape

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inform

inform

early 14c., "to train or instruct in some specific subject," from Old French informer "instruct, inform, teach," and directly from Latin informare "to shape, form," figuratively "train, instruct, educate," from in- "into" (see in- (2)) + formare "to form, shape," from forma "form" (see form (n.)). Varied with enform until c.1600. Sense of "report facts or news" first recorded late 14c. Related: Informed; informing.

inform

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

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Nearby words

Origin of inform

Definition for inform (2 of 2)

inform

adjective Obsolete.

Origin of inform

Examples from the Web for inform

British Dictionary definitions for inform (1 of 2)

inform

verb

Word Origin for inform

British Dictionary definitions for inform (2 of 2)

inform

adjective

Word Origin for inform

Word Origin and History for inform

inform