informer

[in-fawr-mer]

noun

1. a person who informs inform against another, especially for money or other reward.

2. a person who informs inform or communicates information or news; informant.

informer

/ ɪnˈfɔːmə /

noun

1. a person who informs against someone, esp a criminal

2. a person who provides information

   he was the President's financial informer

Word History and Origins

Origin of informer¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; inform ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

The dreaded Stasi, the German secret police, had agents and informers everywhere.

Read more on Literature

She was recruited as a police informer after being charged with drug offences in 1993.

Read more on Barron's

In Mali, the mercenaries’ uncoordinated, brutal raids on civilian settlements “created chaos and fear within the Malian military hierarchy,” deterring informers from collaborating and creating recruitment opportunities for jihadists, the Sentry’s report said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There is something about a healthy personality that feels repelled by a snoop, a snitch, a stool pigeon, an informer.

Read more on Salon

"I think that's probably the only way it's going to be solved - someone on the inside becomes an informer."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• announcer