inform
verb
in·form in-ˈfȯrm 
informed; informing; informs
transitive verb
1
: to communicate knowledge to
inform a prisoner of his rights
2
a
: to give character or essence to
the principles which inform modern teaching
b
: to be the characteristic quality of : animate
the compassion that informs her work
3
obsolete : to give material form to
4
obsolete : guide, direct
5
obsolete : to make known
intransitive verb
1
: to give information (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority
informed on a member of his own gang
2
: to impart information or knowledge
Synonyms
- fink
- grass (on) [British slang]
- rat (on)
- sing
- snitch
- split (on) [British]
- squeak
- squeal
- talk
- tell (on)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The book will entertain and inform you. The arresting officer failed to inform the suspect of his rights. He failed to inform the suspect that he had the right to remain silent. We haven't yet been informed of her decision. Frequent reports from the battlefield kept the general informed about how the attack was progressing. The book will both entertain and inform. His Catholic upbringing informs all his writing. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The majority of reviewers rave about the quality and style, but inform new customers to order down a size or two from their normal jean size. 
Bridget Degnan, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2022 For as long as there’s been broadcast television, however, there have been scripted dramas, comedies, and documentary series to entertain and inform viewers. cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 The two revealed that during production, Mylod brought on Dominique Crenn, a three star Michelin chef, for Fiennes to observe on set and inform his portrayal of Slowik. Wilson Chapman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 So the 37-year-old marine biologist set up a three-pronged plan: teach the fishermen how to properly handle it; inform restaurants about the new catch and persuade them to serve it; tell the public to eat it. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Understanding the genetic diversity of local crayfish populations could inform conservation strategies going forward, Rayne said. Rina Diane Caballar, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2022 Farm labor help, crisis de-escalation and financial help are the top three reasons for calls, and AgriSafe hopes the pilot states will eventually inform a national rollout. Kylie Mohr, oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2022 Effie also said that Allred did not inform her that she was interviewed for the production. Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 Communities like tiny Premont (an early DRIP partner, population 2,500) tell their flood stories, which inform the project’s solutions for mitigating future risks. Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2022 See More
Bridget Degnan, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2022 For as long as there’s been broadcast television, however, there have been scripted dramas, comedies, and documentary series to entertain and inform viewers. cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 The two revealed that during production, Mylod brought on Dominique Crenn, a three star Michelin chef, for Fiennes to observe on set and inform his portrayal of Slowik. Wilson Chapman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 So the 37-year-old marine biologist set up a three-pronged plan: teach the fishermen how to properly handle it; inform restaurants about the new catch and persuade them to serve it; tell the public to eat it. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Understanding the genetic diversity of local crayfish populations could inform conservation strategies going forward, Rayne said. Rina Diane Caballar, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2022 Farm labor help, crisis de-escalation and financial help are the top three reasons for calls, and AgriSafe hopes the pilot states will eventually inform a national rollout. Kylie Mohr, oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2022 Effie also said that Allred did not inform her that she was interviewed for the production. Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 Communities like tiny Premont (an early DRIP partner, population 2,500) tell their flood stories, which inform the project’s solutions for mitigating future risks. Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French enformer, from Latin informare, from in- + forma form
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3
Phrases Containing inform
Kids Definition
inform
verb
in·form in-ˈfȯrm
informed; informing
1
: to let a person know something
I informed him of the changes.
2
: to give information so as to accuse or cause suspicion He refused to inform on his friends.
inform
verb
1
as in to talk
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities the police only caught the mastermind of the burglary because his disgruntled partner informed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- talk
- betray
- snitch
- squeak
- fink
- sing
- grass (on)
- tell (on)
- squeal
- drop a dime (on)
- tattle
- turn in
- split (on)
- give away
- rat (on)
- blab
- backstab
- cross
- sell (out)
- tip (off)
- double-cross
- two-time
2
as in to advise
to give information to chose teaching as a career because it affords the opportunity to inform a whole generation of young minds Synonyms & Similar Words
- advise
- tell
- instruct
- apprise
- educate
- enlighten
- brief
- notify
- acquaint
- teach
- familiarize
- alert
- clear
- convince
- fill in
- hip
- catch up
- verse
- assure
- let someone know
- reassure
- advertise
- clue (in)
- keep (someone) posted
- wise (up)
- lecture
- certify
- school
- warrant
- disabuse
- disillusion
- tutor
- disclose (to)
- announce (to)
- undeceive
- disenchant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mislead
- misinform
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of inform are acquaint, apprise, and notify. While all these words mean "to make one aware of something," inform implies the imparting of knowledge especially of facts or occurrences.
informed us of the crisis
The meanings of acquaint and inform largely overlap; however, acquaint lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with.
acquaint yourself with the keyboard
The words apprise and inform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apprise implies communicating something of special interest or importance.
keep us apprised of the situation
In some situations, the words notify and inform are roughly equivalent. However, notify implies sending notice of something requiring attention or demanding action.
notified the witness when to appear