inform

[in-fawrm]

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.
1. to train or instruct.
2. to make known; disclose.
3. 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.

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

Related formsin·form·a·ble, adjectivein·form·ing·ly, adverbhalf-in·form·ing, adjectivehalf-in·form·ing·ly, adverbun·in·form·ing, adjective

Synonyms for inform

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. apprise; notify, advise, tell. 2. acquaint.

inform

[in-fawrm]

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. 2018

Related Words for inform

educate, update, apprise, brief, warn, instruct, caution, notify, advise, tell, illuminate, inspire, edify, relate, forewarn, blab, post, enlighten, endue, familiarize

Examples from the Web for inform

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
Gupta has to entertain, as much as inform, around a gruesome situation.
Sanjay Gupta, on the Ebola Front Lines
Tim Teeman
August 4, 2014

Historical Examples of inform

Before I go out, I must inform you of one thing you must be careful about.
The Imaginary Invalid
Molire
I ventured to inform him on this point and he thanked me with some emotion.
Camps, Quarters and Casual Places
Archibald Forbes
Eleanor insisted that John should not inform his mother of her return to work.
The Foolish Lovers
St. John G. Ervine
"If madame will call again, I will inform her of my plans," said Mr. Love.
Night and Morning, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
I thought it could be no harm, to get you to inform yourself, and me, of what could be gathered.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for inform

inform

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
1. to train or educate
2. 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

inform

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

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.