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

• betrayer
• canary [slang]
• deep throat
• fink
• informer
• nark [British]
• rat
• rat fink
• snitch
• snitcher
• squealer
• stool pigeon
• stoolie
• talebearer
• tattler
• tattletale
• telltale
• whistle-blower

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

That man would also become an FBI informant in the case, according to the document. —Christina Coulter, People.com, 20 May 2025

After his arrest, Snake works with law enforcement to become an informant but ultimately sets them up. —Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 19 May 2025

Instead, top administration officials have claimed Abrego Garcia is a member of the gang MS-13, citing allegations from a confidential informant. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 16 May 2025

The disgraced police sergeant was arrested in 2012 and received 22 months in prison for shaking down a drug courier who turned out to be an FBI informant. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025

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