inform[verb]Synonyms:- tell, advise, communicate, enlighten, instruct, notify, teach, tip off
- incriminate, betray, blow the whistle on
(informal), denounce, grass
(Brit. slang), inculpate, shop
(slang, chiefly Brit.), squeal
(slang)
Related Idioms: keep posted
Related Words: imbue,
infuse,
leaven,
permeate,
enlighten,
illuminate,
endow,
endue,
educate,
instruct,
teach,
familiarize,
caution,
forewarn,
blab,
tattle,
tell,
betray,
give away,
turn in
English Thesaurus: tell, let somebody know, pass a message on to somebody, brief, relate, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
in‧form S3 W3 /ɪnˈfɔːm $ -ɔːrm/
verb [transitive] formal [
Word Family: noun:
informant,
information,
informer,
misinformation,
disinformation;
verb:
inform,
misinform;
adjective:
informative ≠
UNINFORMATIVE,
informed ≠
uninformed;
adverb:
informatively]
[
Date: 1300-1400;
Language: Old French;
Origin: enformer, from Latin informare 'to give shape to', from forma; ⇒ form1]
1. to officially tell someone about something or give them information:
They decided to inform the policeinform somebody about/of something Please inform us of any change of address as soon as possible.inform somebody (that) We regret to inform you that your application has been rejected.2. formal to influence someone’s attitude or opinion:
Her experience as a refugee informs the content of her latest novel.inform on/against somebody phrasal verb to tell the police or an enemy information about someone that will harm them:
He denied that he had ever informed on his neighbours. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
tell to give someone information by speaking or writing to them:
She wrote to tell me she was getting married. Can you tell us where the nearest garage is?let somebody know especially spoken to tell someone something when you know more about it:
Let me know your new address as soon as you can. Let us know what happens at the interview.pass a message on to somebody (
also pass it on informal) to tell another person the information that has been told to you:
She’s with a client at the moment, but I’ll pass the message on to her. If I get any news, I’ll pass it on.brief to give someone all the necessary information about a situation, so that they can do their work:
Police officers were briefed before going out to arrest the suspects.relate formal to tell someone about something that happened to you or to someone else:
One girl related a story about a friend who had accidentally become pregnant.recount formal to tell someone about a series of events:
The guide recounted the history of the castle, from the 1300s onwards.bring something to sb’s attention to tell someone about something that they did not know about, but which they need to know about:
I wanted to bring the matter to your attention. She was the first person to study the effects of pesticides, and to bring them to people’s attention.fill somebody in informal to tell someone about things that have happened recently, especially at work:
Can you fill Robert in on the progress we’ve made while he’s been on holiday?inform to officially tell someone about something:
Do you think we ought to inform the police? Doctors should inform patients about the possible side effects of any drugs they prescribe.announce to tell people publicly and officially about something:
The university chancellor announced his resignation on Friday. It was announced that the company had made a profit of $6 billion.report to officially tell someone about something that has happened:
She was able to report that the project was nearly finished.notify formal to tell someone officially about something that has happened or that is planned to happen:
Staff were notified several months in advance that they would be losing their jobs. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲