in ‧ form S3 W3 /ɪnˈfɔːm $ -ɔːrm/ BrE AmE verb [transitive] formal
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ informant , ↑ information , ↑ informer , ↑ misinformation , ↑ disinformation ; verb : ↑ inform , ↑ misinform ; adjective : ↑ informative ≠ UNINFORMATIVE , ↑ informed ≠ ↑ uninformed ; adverb : ↑ informatively ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: enformer , from Latin informare 'to give shape to' , from forma ; ⇨ ↑ form 1 ]
1 . to officially tell someone about something or give them information:
They decided to inform the police
inform somebody about/of something
Please inform us of any change of address as soon as possible.
inform somebody (that)
We regret to inform you that your application has been rejected.
2 . formal to influence someone’s attitude or opinion:
Her experience as a refugee informs the content of her latest novel.
inform on/against somebody phrasal verb
to tell the police or an enemy information about someone that will harm them:
He denied that he had ever informed on his neighbours.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to officially tell someone
▪ inform to officially tell someone about something:
Do you think we ought to inform the police?
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Doctors should inform patients about the possible side effects of any drugs they prescribe.
▪ announce to tell people publicly and officially about something:
The university chancellor announced his resignation on Friday.
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It was announced that the company had made a profit of $6 billion.
▪ report to officially tell someone about something that has happened:
She was able to report that the project was nearly finished.
▪ notify formal to tell someone officially about something that has happened or that is planned to happen:
Staff were notified several months in advance that they would be losing their jobs.