inform en · VERB · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /ɪnˈfɔɹm/ (General-American)
- /ɪnˈfɔːm/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (US) audio
Etymology
From Middle English informen, enformen, borrowed from Old French enformer, informer (“to train, instruct, inform”), from Latin īnfōrmō (“to shape, form, train, instruct, educate”), from in- (“into”) + fōrma (“form, shape”), equivalent to in- + form.
Meanings
- (archaic, transitive) To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
-
(transitive) To communicate knowledge to.
I am informed thoroughly of the cause.
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:For he would learn their business secretly, / And then inform his master hastily.
1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC:
- (intransitive) To impart information or knowledge.
- To act as an informer; denounce.
-
(transitive) To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
His sense of religion informs everything he writes.
Let others better mould the running mass / Of metals, and inform the breathing brass
1697, Virgil, “The Sixth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 397, lines 1169-1170:WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.
2013 June 7, Gary Younge, “Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 18:But others declare that no Creature can be made or tranſmuted into a better or vvorſe, or transformed into another ſpecies or ſimilitude, by man, or devill. […] Martinus [i.e., Martin] Delrio the Jeſuit accounts this degeneration of Man into a Beaſt to be an illuſion, deceptive and repugnant to Nature; for, the ſoule of man cannot informe a beaſts body, […]
1653, John Bulwer, “Scene XXIIII. Cruell and Fantasticall Inventions of Men Practised upon Their Bodies in a Supposed Way of Bravery, and Wicked Practices both of Men and Devils to Alter and Deforme the Humane Fabricke”, in Anthropometamorphosis: Man Transform’d; or, The Artificial Changling […], 2nd edition, London: […] William Hunt, →OCLC, page 521:O! long as breath informs this fleeting frame / Ne'er let me pass in silence Dorset's name
1858, Matthew Prior, The poetical works of Matthew Prior, Edinburgh: Printed by Ballantyne and Company, page 120, line 401:
- (intransitive, obsolete) To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
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(formal, transitive) To direct, guide.
Don’t forget the code of ethics that informs this profession.
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(archaic, intransitive) To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.
c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| informing | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| informed | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| informed | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| enform | alternative | lexicographic | |
| informs | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Antonyms
misinform · misguide · encrypt · withhold · disinform · mislead
Deriveds
inform on · misinform · preinform · informatory · uninform · reinform · uninformed · informee · informance · information · informative · informant · informed · informer · overinform
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
teach · educate · instruct · divulge
Synonyms
discuss · inform · snitch · acquaint (communicate knowledge to (trans.)) · name names · take shape · impart · peach · apprise · materialize (take form) · tell · keep informed · notify · dob (act as informer) · let know · advise · enlighten
Translations (213)
hi बताना (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · uk донести́ (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · hu tudomására hoz (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · sh obavéstiti (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ky кабарлоо (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hy տեղեկացնել (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru оповеща́ть (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ps اترول (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · yi אינפֿאָרמירן (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fa-ira اِطِّلاع دادَن (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hi सूचित करना (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu értesít (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fr informer (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · nl kond doen ((obsolete in English) to make known (intransitive)) · ka ინფორმირება (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru донести́ (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · th แจ้ง (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mi whakaatu (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · fa-ira مَعْلوم کَرْدَن (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · be інфармава́ць (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · el καταδίδω (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · gur ko'ose (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ga cuir in iúl (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · arz خبر (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · uk інформува́ти (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru уведомля́ть (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mk известува (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · nb informere (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · be паінфармава́ць (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · uz xabar qilmoq (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ckb ئاگادان (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · es enterar (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hi अवगत करना (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · km ជម្រាប (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · uk поінформува́ти (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · lo ບົ່ງ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu hatással van (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · de denunzieren (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · hi जानकारी देना (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · km ទួល (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru извести́ть (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · it informare (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu átjár (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · grc μηνύω (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · sh обавије́стити (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ky билдирүү (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · tg маълум кардан (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ps ابلاغول (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru сообща́ть (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru доноси́ть (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · fa-ira اِطِلاع دادَن (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu tájékoztat (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ckb تێگەیاندن ((obsolete in English) to make known (intransitive)) · de mitteilen (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · pl powiadomić (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ja 告げる (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · la doceo (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru сообщи́ть (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · cs informovat (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · es dar razón (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · uk пові́домити (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hi ख़बर करना (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · uk доно́сити (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · nl inlichten (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu kihat (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · uz bildirmoq (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · cmn 告知 (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sh obavještávati (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sh обаве́стити (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ps خبر ورکول (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ca informar (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · tg огоҳ кардан (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ar أَبْلَغَ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · pl poinformować (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · az bildirmək (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · az xəbər vermək (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ro a informa (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · be паве́даміць (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · cmn 通知 (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · kk хабарландыру (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · tg хабар додан (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sl obveščati (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · tr haber vermek (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru проинформи́ровать (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · tr bilgi vermek (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · bg съобща́вам (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · pl informować (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ur بَتانا (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fr informer (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · lo ບອກ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ja 通知する (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu áthat (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · de benachrichtigen (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ur خَبَر کَرْنا (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sh obaveštávati (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sv upplysa (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ky билмелөө (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · nl verklikken (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · nn informere (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ko 알리다 (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · mn ᠮᠡᠳᠡᠭᠡᠯᠡᠬᠦ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · lt informuoti (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · pt informar (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · alt билдирер (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fi vasikoida (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · ms mengkhabarkan (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ko 가르치다 (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ko 전달하다 (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · et teavitama (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ug خەۋەر قىلماق (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ko 알리다 (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ja 教える (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fa-ira آگاه کَرْدَن (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · az məlumat vermək (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ckb تێگەیاندن (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · nl informeren (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · ru оповести́ть (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · az məlum etmək (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ia informar (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ur اِطِّلاع کَرْنا (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sv meddela (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · es informar (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ug بىلدۈرمەك (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ja 知らせる (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · el πληροφορώ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sk informovať (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · he הוֹדִיעַ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sq njoftoj (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu megoszt (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · ms memberitahu (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sh обавјешта́вати (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · tr ihbar etmek (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · nl voorlichten (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sv informera (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · uz aytmoq (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · be паведамля́ць (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fi tiedottaa ((obsolete in English) to make known (intransitive)) · ja 教える (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · vi thông báo (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mk извести (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · de informieren (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · fa-ira اَخْبار کَرْدَن (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ja 情報で強化する (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · my သတင်းပေး (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mn мэдээлэх (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · my အသိပေး (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · pl donosić (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · nl informeren (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fi tiedottaa (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · es delatar (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · tr bildirmek (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · tt хәбәр итәргә (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ar أَخْبَرَ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · bg информи́рам (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ky маалымат берүү (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mk информи́ра (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu informál (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mi whakarongo (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · nl voorlichten (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · ja 情報で影響を上げる (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · bg одухотворя́вам (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · et informeerima (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · yi מיטטיילן (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sl obvestiti (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu tudat (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · uk повідомля́ти (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ko 통지하다 (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · de Bescheid sagen (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · eo informi (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fa-ira خَبَر دادَن (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · km ចែង (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · de informieren (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu feljelent (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · pl donieść (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · ar بَلَّغَ (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · pt informar (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mi whakamōhio (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu felvilágosít (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru извеща́ть (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ckb ئاگادان (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · ru уве́домить (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · hu közöl (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · sq kallzoj (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · ur آگاہ کَرْنا (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · pl powiadamiać (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ckb تێگەیاندن (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · bor bije (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · bg известя́вам (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · sh обавешта́вати (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · th บอก (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ky маалымдоо (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ru информи́ровать (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · lt pranešti (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ckb ئاگادان ((obsolete in English) to make known (intransitive)) · fr renseigner (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ota خبر ایتمك (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fr instruire (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · fr dénoncer (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · my ကြား (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ka შეტყობინება (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · ms maalumkan (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · da informere (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · id mempengaruhi (to give form or character to; to inspire; to affect, influence (transitive)) · sh obavijéstiti (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · kk хабарлау (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · bg изда́вам (to act as an informer, denounce — see also inform on) · sv informera (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · nl informeren ((obsolete in English) to make known (intransitive)) · lv informēt (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · mt għarraf (to communicate knowledge to another/others (transitive)) · fr informer ((obsolete in English) to make known (intransitive)) · fi tiedottaa (to impart information or knowledge (intransitive)) · ja 知らせる ((obsolete in English) to make known (intransitive))