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Inform Common

Inform has 5 different meanings across 1 category:

Verb

Definitions
Verb
1

impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to

"I informed him of his rights"

2

give character or essence to

"The principles that inform modern teaching"

3

act as an informer

"She had informed on her own parents for years"

4

To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).

"The experienced mentor spent hours informing the new intern on how to properly calibrate the sensitive instruments."

In plain English: To inform someone means to tell them facts or news so they know something important.

"He informed his boss about the meeting cancellation."

Usage: Use "inform" to mean giving someone specific facts or details about a situation, not to teach them a skill or subject. It is incorrect to use this word when you intend the meaning of training or educating someone.

Adjective
1

Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.

"The storm left the coastline in a rough and inform state, stripping away all traces of its once orderly structure."

"I am not in an informed position to answer that question."

Usage: The word "inform" is strictly a verb and cannot be used as an adjective to mean shapeless or ugly. To describe something without regular form, you must use the adjective "informal," though this typically refers to casual style rather than physical deformity.

Example Sentences
"I am not in an informed position to answer that question." adj
"He informed his boss about the meeting cancellation." verb
"The teacher will inform us of the test results tomorrow." verb
"She informed her friends about the change in plans." verb
"Please inform me if you need any further assistance." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
communicate change inform
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
wise up teach instruct inoculate acquaint warn inform fill in update misinform understate denounce undeceive advise familiarize prompt volunteer introduce regret indicate nark explain tell narrate report announce disabuse remonstrate testify

Origin

The word "inform" entered English from Old French and originally meant to shape or train someone. It comes from the Latin phrase for putting something into a specific form, reflecting its early sense of instructing rather than just giving news.

Rhyming Words
orm corm worm form norm gorm dorm feorm storm enorm reform e form afform byform efform v form unform urform enform deworm
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