inform

1
[ in-fawrm ]
/ ɪnˈfɔrm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR inform ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to give information; supply knowledge or enlightenment: a magazine that entertains more than it informs.

Verb Phrases

inform on, to furnish incriminating evidence about (someone) to an authority, prosecuting officer, etc.: He informed on his accomplices.

Origin of inform

1
1275–1325; Middle English informen < Latin infōrmāre to form, shape, equivalent to in- in-2 + fōrmāre to form; replacing Middle English enfourmen < Middle French enfourmer < Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM inform

Words nearby inform

infomania, infomaniac, infomercial, infopreneur, infopreneurial, inform, informal, informal settlement, informal vote, informality, informant

Definition for inform (2 of 2)

inform 2
[ in-fawrm ]
/ ɪnˈfɔrm /

adjective Obsolete.

without form; formless.

Origin of inform

2
1545–55; < Latin informis formless, deformed, equivalent to in- in-3 + -formis -form

Words related to inform

educate, update, apprise, brief, warn, instruct, caution, notify, advise, tell, illuminate, inspire, edify, relate, forewarn, blab, post, enlighten, endue, familiarize

Example sentences from the Web for inform

British Dictionary definitions for inform (1 of 2)

inform 1
/ (ɪnˈfɔːm) /

verb

Derived forms of inform

informable, adjective informedly (ɪnˈfɔːmɪdlɪ), adverb informingly, adverb

Word Origin for inform

C14: from Latin informāre to give form to, describe, from formāre to form

British Dictionary definitions for inform (2 of 2)

inform 2
/ (ɪnˈfɔːm) /

adjective

archaic without shape; unformed

Word Origin for inform

C16: from Latin informis from in- 1 + forma shape