informant

noun

in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt 

: a person who gives information: such as

a

: informer

b

: one who supplies cultural or linguistic data in response to interrogation by an investigator

Synonyms of informant

• informer

Examples of informant in a Sentence

The police were alerted to the plot by a paid informant.

We learned the language with the help of a native informant.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, instead of acting as an informant, Larry reportedly was trying to cover his own involvement in the same scheme. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

One of the records cites an unnamed confidential informant linking Rodríguez to hotels in Margarita Island that are allegedly used as a front to launder money. —Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026

Federal prosecutors instead argued that the informant’s help amounted to little more than context to an otherwise provable case. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

Suresh relays the information to Superintendent Srikant Saxena, the informant connected to Ravi, who then communicates the intelligence to Meena. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for informant

• dormant
• formant

Kids Definition

informant

noun

in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt 

: informer

Legal Definition

informant

noun

in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt 

: one who informs against another

specifically : one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities