inform
1- 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.
- to give information; supply knowledge or enlightenment: a magazine that entertains more than it informs.
- inform on, to furnish incriminating evidence about (someone) to an authority, prosecuting officer, etc.: He informed on his accomplices.
Origin of inform
1Synonyms for inform
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for informing
educate, update, apprise, brief, warn, instruct, caution, notify, advise, tell, illuminate, inspire, edify, relate, forewarn, blab, post, enlighten, endue, familiarizeExamples from the Web for informing
Contemporary Examples of informing
Then Obama stunned John and his wife Diane, informing them of the failed special operations rescue mission from early July.
The process for informing the Senate and House intelligence committees is often shrouded in secrecy.
The Ordain Women website posted some of Harrison's email to Kelly informing her of her excommunication.
Those present agreed that the penalty for informing had to be death.
Instead, the group is informing the community that the trial will happen, so anyone who objects can opt out.
New 'Suspended Animation' Procedure Saves Lives by Replacing Blood with a Cold Electrolyte SolutionElizabeth Lopatto
April 2, 2014
Historical Examples of informing
Robert shrank from informing him, but he knew it to be his duty, and he was too brave to put it off.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Then she turned her attention to Eileen, and the shock she received was informing.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
Let us ascertain, if we can, what it means, since they are so chary of informing us themselves.
Life: Its True GenesisR. W. Wright
I had every day news from Rebours, informing me how matters went.
Memoirs of Marguerite de Valois, CompleteMarguerite de Valois, Queen of Navarre
The hour for informing her had arrived; he might stand in need of her advice.
The Fortune of the RougonsEmile Zola
inform
1- (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
Word Origin for inform
inform
2- archaic without shape; unformed
Word Origin for inform
Word Origin and History for informing
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.