inform
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to give or impart knowledge of a fact or circumstance to.
He informed them of his arrival.
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to supply (oneself) with knowledge of a matter or subject.
She informed herself of all the pertinent facts.
- Synonyms:
- acquaint
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to give evident substance, character, or distinction to; pervade or permeate with manifest effect.
A love of nature informed his writing.
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to animate or inspire.
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Obsolete.
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to train or instruct.
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to make known; disclose.
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to give or impart form to.
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verb (used without object)
verb phrase
adjective
verb
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(tr; often foll by of or about) to give information to; tell
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(tr; often foll by of or about) to make conversant (with)
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(intr; often foll by against or on) to give information regarding criminals, as to the police, etc
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to give form to
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to impart some essential or formative characteristic to
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(tr) to animate or inspire
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obsolete (tr)
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to train or educate
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to report
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adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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half-informingadjective
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informableadjective
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uninformingadjective
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half-informinglyadverb
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informedlyadverb
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informinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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informsimple
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informssimple
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have informedperfect
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has informedperfect
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am informingprogressive
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are informingprogressive
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is informingprogressive
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have been informingperfect progressive
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has been informingperfect progressive
Past
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informedsimple
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had informedperfect
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was informingprogressive
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were informingprogressive
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had been informingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of inform1
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 ”
Origin of inform2
First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin informis “formless, deformed,” equivalent to in- in- 3 + -formis -form
Explanation
To inform is to tell someone news, pass on wisdom, leak gossip, or give instruction. You've been informed that you won the raffle at the county fair. What are you going to do with all that cheese? The Latin verb infōrmāre means "to form or shape." The idea of passing on knowledge came about in the 14th Century, with the meaning of "teaching or instructing" coming later. Thomas Jefferson, who believed democracy to be impossible without informed citizens, said, “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
Vocabulary lists containing inform
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Shape Up: Form
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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.
See Examples For:
Text that aims to inform the public on general interest issues will also have to be labelled if they are created using AI without human editorial oversight.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
While LGBTQ+ voices were far from silent, especially in a city like New York, the idea that their perspectives could inform broader conversations was not as widespread as it has become.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
"Understanding the biological, behavioral, and social factors that promote exceptional cognitive aging may ultimately complement traditional disease-focused approaches and help inform more personalized strategies for supporting brain health across the lifespan."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026
She said that would inform a "considered and evidence-based government response".
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the performance of your agreement with a corporate sponsor in Yugoslavia to play chess is deemed to be in support of that sponsor's commercial activity.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, the GP explained while the tests cannot offer "an absolute diagnosis", they could provide an indication that informs next steps.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
The dance floor informs both the structure of the production and the record’s lyrical concerns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
Soft Palms are angry, and that informs the spirit of “In Echo.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
An advance healthcare directive informs your doctors about what actions you want them to take if you are no longer able to make those decisions.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026
She just hugs me some more and tells me she loves me, and after a game of gin rummy Mom gently informs her that it’s time to go.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
The U.S. isn’t directly part of the talks, though Oman is keeping Washington informed, said regional officials familiar with the talks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in the early hours of Sunday that he and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt were being informed of the investigation and vowed to bring those reponsible for the "horrific act" to justice.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
Those services keep many communities healthy, safe and informed.
From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026
The family of the man who died have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
In the letter, Dasch informed Burger that he had indeed arrived safely, had contacted the right individuals, and was trying hard to do the right thing.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
In the weeks before Burnham became prime minister, the BBC has been told that senior officials were summoned to calls informing them that a significant programme to move staff out of London was being developed.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
The media cited Australian foreign ministry letters sent to the families of the two citizens killed, informing them that Laos would charge the operator of the Tiger brand of alcohol with operating illegally.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Five hours before kickoff, after spending the morning celebrating with fellow fans before attending the team parade, Wright received an email from StubHub informing him that his tickets couldn’t be transferred.
From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026
“I’ve got cancer,” he tells his co-stars, after informing them he will need to take some time away from his farm duties.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
I was sorely tempted to end the conversation by informing Sergeant Bickle that his son was a potential lunatic, but I refrained.
From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech
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.
