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Synonyms

informer

American  
[in-fawr-mer] / ɪnˈfɔr mər /

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 British  
/ 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
"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

Etymology

Origin of informer

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

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

From Literature

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

From Salon

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

From BBC

It will also introduce extra powers for investigators, and a special protected status for informers.

From BBC

Martin was described as an informer within the IRA.

From BBC

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.