inform

[ in-fawrm ]

/ ɪnˈfɔrm /

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See synonyms for: inform / informed / informing / informs 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR inform

1 apprise; notify, advise, tell.

2 acquaint.

See synonyms for inform on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of inform

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enfo(u)rmen, informen, from Old French enfo(u)rmer, from Latin infōrmāre “to form, shape,” equivalent to in- in-² + fōrmāre “to form ”

OTHER WORDS FROM inform

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

un·in·form·ing, adjective

Other definitions for inform (2 of 2)

inform²

[ in-fawrm ]

/ ɪnˈfɔrm /

adjective Obsolete.

without form; formless.

Origin of inform

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin informis “formless, deformed,” equivalent to in- in-³ + -formis -form

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inform in a sentence

She could have done what Sarah did, if she weren’t too principled to mine her past that way, she informs us.
The mind-boggling end of Susan Choi’s Trust Exercise, explained|Constance Grady|November 20, 2020|Vox
In any case, I have been informed that the Birds are doing a little better as of late.
Can You Pass The Cranberry Sauce?|Zach Wissner-Gross|November 20, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
A man in a tie informed us that they were running about 15 minutes behind.
Here’s what you need to know about getting a coronavirus test at the airport|Andrea Sachs|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
Website accessibility complaints brought against dentists has influenced the American Dental Association to take action by informing all of its members of the threat at hand.
Is your website at risk for an ADA accessibility lawsuit?|Richard Horvath|November 12, 2020|Search Engine Land

John says he arrived at the hospital about an hour later, and doctors soon informed him and his mother that Yaroslav appeared to have pneumonia.
Husband’s tragic death leaves D.C. man to raise 4 young children alone|Lou Chibbaro Jr.|November 11, 2020|Washington Blade
The real-life reporting wound up informing the plot of the novel and some of the characters.
How The Cold War Endgame Played Out In The Rubble Of The Berlin Wall|William O’Connor|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then Obama stunned John and his wife Diane, informing them of the failed special operations rescue mission from early July.
Foley Family to White House: You Saved Bergdahl. Why Not Our Son?|Eli Lake|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The process for informing the Senate and House intelligence committees is often shrouded in secrecy.
Congress Scouring Every U.S. Spy Program|Eli Lake|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Ordain Women website posted some of Harrison's email to Kelly informing her of her excommunication.
Excommunication With a Smile: Mormon Feminist Kicked Out of the Church|Emily Shire|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The article was then updated with a note informing readers that the content of the piece did not reflect the views of the staff.
Someone Is Writing Lists of ‘Rapists’ on Columbia’s Walls|Olivia Nuzzi|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately he acted hurriedly, and, without informing the Emperor, entered into negotiations with the enemy.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
I there received a letter informing me that the Board would offer me the vacant seat if it really was my wish to retire so soon.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
On the same day M. Roland received a letter from the king informing him that he was dismissed from office.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Why did she not insist on informing her husband at least of her cousin's lapse, of her ignoble stratagem?
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
As soon as possible, however, she returned to her task, informing her mother frequently of the progress of the fire.
The value of a praying mother|Isabel C. Byrum

British Dictionary definitions for inform (1 of 2)

inform¹

/ (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 forms of inform

informable, 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)

inform²

/ (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

inform

OTHER WORDS FOR inform

Origin of inform

OTHER WORDS FROM inform

Other definitions for inform (2 of 2)

Origin of inform

Words related to inform

How to use inform in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inform (1 of 2)

Derived forms of inform

Word Origin for inform

British Dictionary definitions for inform (2 of 2)

Word Origin for inform