Inform — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈfȯrm/ in·form

Meaning & Definition of Inform

Inform (verb)

  1. to communicate knowledge to
  2. to give character or essence to
  3. to be the characteristic quality of, animate

Inform (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: fink, grass (on) (British slang), rat (on), sing, snitch, split (on) (British), squeak, squeal, talk, tell (on), drop a dime (on)
    related: betray, give away, turn in, backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, blab, tattle, tip (off)

  2. to give information to

    "chose teaching as a career because it affords the opportunity to inform a whole generation of young minds"

    similar: acquaint, advise, apprise, brief, catch up, clear, clue (in), enlighten, familiarize, fill in, hip, instruct, tell, verse, wise (up), keep (someone) posted, let someone know
    related: advertise, alert, notify, announce (to), disclose (to), assure, certify, convince, reassure, warrant, educate, lecture, school, teach, tutor, disabuse, disenchant, disillusion, undeceive
    near: misinform, mislead

Related Entry: Inform (against) (verb)

Inform (against) is a different word from Inform. The synonyms below are for inform (against), not for inform.

  1. as in report, name

    similar: frame, implicate, inculpate, name, report, prosecute, sue, try, recriminate, retaliate, appeal, arraign, book, cite, summon, chide, rebuke, reprove, tax, blame, call (on), castigate, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, fault, impugn, reproach, reprobate, accuse, charge, criminate, defame (archaic), impeach, incriminate, indict
    opposite: absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate, advocate, champion, defend, excuse, forgive, justify, pardon, remit, shrive

Related Entry: Inform (on) (verb)

Inform (on) is a different word from Inform. The synonyms below are for inform (on), not for inform.

  1. as in turn in, split (on)

    similar: peach, rat (on), shop (British), snitch (on), split (on) (British), tell (on), turn in, give away, backstab, betray, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time
    opposite: stand by, defend, guard, protect, safeguard, save, shield

Related Entry: Misinform (verb)

Misinform is a different word from Inform. The synonyms below are for misinform, not for inform.

  1. to cause to believe what is untrue

    "had been misinformed about the purpose of the meeting and walked in on what was a surprise birthday party"

    similar: bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on (chiefly British), hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, suck in, sucker, take in, trick, do a number on, lead one down the garden path, pull one's leg, pull the wool over one's eyes
    related: kid, put on, tease, bleed, cheat, chisel, defraud, diddle, euchre, fleece, flimflam, hustle, mulct, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle
    opposite: undeceive
    near: debunk, expose, reveal, show up, uncloak, uncover, unmask, disclose, divulge, tell, unveil, disabuse, disenchant, disillusion

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Inform

The most common words with a similar meaning to Inform:

British slang: grass (on)
British: split (on)
fink, rat (on), sing, snitch, squeak, squeal, talk, tell (on), acquaint, advise, apprise, brief, catch up, clear, clue (in), enlighten, familiarize, fill in, hip, instruct, tell, verse, wise (up), drop a dime (on), keep (someone) posted, let someone know

Related Words for Inform

betray, give away, turn in, backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, blab, tattle, tip (off), advertise, alert, notify, announce (to), disclose (to), assure, certify, convince, reassure, warrant, educate, lecture, school, teach, tutor, disabuse, disenchant, disillusion, undeceive

Near Antonyms of Inform

misinform, mislead

Word Forms of Inform

Inflections: informed, informing, informs

Origin & Etymology of Inform

Middle English, from Anglo-French enformer, from Latin informare, from in- + forma form

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Inform

Words & Phrases Containing Inform

inform on/against, misinform

Frequently Asked Questions about Inform

What does "Inform" mean?

"Inform" means to communicate knowledge to. As a verb, it is defined as: to communicate knowledge to. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Inform"?

Other words for "Inform" include fink, grass (on), rat (on), sing, snitch, split (on), squeak and squeal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Inform" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Inform"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Inform". Common alternatives include fink, grass (on), rat (on), sing, snitch, split (on), squeak, squeal, talk and tell (on).

How do you use "Inform" in a sentence?

Examples of "Inform" in a sentence: "the police only caught the mastermind of the burglary because his disgruntled partner informed"; "chose teaching as a career because it affords the opportunity to inform a whole generation of young minds".

Is "Inform" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Inform" is a verb.

Is "Inform" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Inform" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Inform"?

"Inform" is pronounced /in-ˈfȯrm/ and divided into syllables as in·form.

What is the origin of the word "Inform"?

"Inform" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French enformer, from Latin informare, from in- + forma form. First known use: 14th centuryt.