inform

verb in·form \ in-ˈfȯrm \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

transitive verb

1 obsolete : to give material form to

2 a : to give character or essence to

the principles which inform modern teaching

b : to be the characteristic quality of : animate

the compassion that informs her work

3 obsolete : guide, direct

4 obsolete : to make known

5 : to communicate knowledge to

inform a prisoner of his rights

intransitive verb

1 : to impart information or knowledge

2 : to give information (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority

informed on a member of his own gang

See inform defined for English-language learners

See inform defined for kids

Examples of inform in a Sentence

The book will entertain and inform you.
The arresting officer failed to inform the suspect of his rights.
He failed to inform the suspect that he had the right to remain silent.
We haven't yet been informed of her decision.
Frequent reports from the battlefield kept the general informed about how the attack was progressing.
The book will both entertain and inform.
His Catholic upbringing informs all his writing.

Recent Examples of inform from the Web

An employee of AAT Sales Inc, 360 Melvin Drive, told police April 5 that the bank informed the employee about four fraudulent transactions.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Police: Jewelry taken during Northbrook burglary," 10 Apr. 2018
The distinguished stage veteran also provides the evening's most moving moment with her beautifully understated delivery of a lengthy climactic monologue in which her character omnisciently informs Julie about what the future holds for her.

— frank scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'This Flat Earth': Theater Review," 10 Apr. 2018
The agency said manufacturer Bayer will be allowed to sell the device only to health-care providers and facilities who inform patients in advance about the risks of implanting it.

— Washington Post, "The Health 202: Trump health officials rewrite big Obamacare rules," 10 Apr. 2018
In fact, a pre-rehearsals trip to Israel (including a stint in Yeruham, the small town the show is based on) informed the overall approach.

— Daily Intelligencer, "How The Band’s Visit Is Bringing Cultural Authenticity to Broadway," 10 Apr. 2018
More than 20 individuals gathered at the Cleveland Civic Center on April 7 to participate in the Skywarn class to be better informed of dangerous weather patterns.

— jacob mcadams, Houston Chronicle, "Local citizens train to watch the sky for weather warnings," 9 Apr. 2018
The announcement would only be made when the William and Kate have informed the Queen Elizabeth and other members of their families.

— simon perry, PEOPLE.com, "It's a Sign! 'No Parking' Notices in Place at Kate Middleton's Hospital Mark Countdown to Baby," 9 Apr. 2018
Such trips, lawmakers say, inform their policy-making.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "From England with Churchill's granddaughter to Normandy, for free: Ohio speaker's travel," 9 Apr. 2018
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said keeping the public informed about crimes, arrests and other operations is a high priority.

— jeff mcdonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sheriff's policy seems to call for announcing jail deaths, but department says that's not so," 8 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inform.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.