inform

/ɪnˈfɔɹm/

//ɪnˈfɔɹm// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"inform" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“inform” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #5,603 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#5,603
frequency rank, English
6
letters
9
tracked misspellings
8
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

inform vs infra
67% similar
inform vs informed
75% similar
inform vs informal
75% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for inform
PropertyValue
Headwordinform
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ɪnˈfɔɹm/
Letters6
Frequency rank#5,603
Misspellings tracked9
Confusable pairs8
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “inform” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). inform lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for inform is 6 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɪnˈfɔɹm/. Corpus data places it at rank #5,603 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 8 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 9 likely wrong-spelling variants for inform, with forms such as "ifnorm", "infform", and "infomr". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. It also participates in 8 confusable-pair relationships, "infra", "informed", "informal", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English informen, enformen, borrowed from Old French enformer, informer (“to train, instruct, inform”), from Latin īnfōrmō (“to shape, form, train, instruct, educate”), from in- (“into”) + fōrma (“form, shape”), equivalent to in- + form. The correct English form is inform, spelled I-N-F-O-R-M.

Definition

  1. 1
    To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
  2. 2
    To communicate knowledge to.
  3. 3
    To impart information or knowledge.
  4. 4
    To act as an informer; denounce.
  5. 5
    To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
  6. 6
    To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
  7. 7
    To direct, guide.
  8. 8
    To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.

Etymology

From Middle English informen, enformen, borrowed from Old French enformer, informer (“to train, instruct, inform”), from Latin īnfōrmō (“to shape, form, train, instruct, educate”), from in- (“into”) + fōrma (“form, shape”), equivalent to in- + form.

Synonyms

acquaintapprisenotifydobname namespeachsnitchmaterializetake shapeadvisediscussenlightenimpartinformkeep informedlet knowtell

Antonyms

encryptdisinformmisguidemisinformmisleadwithhold

This word in other languages

informar(Español)informer(Français)informieren(Deutsch)informar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ifnorm,infform,infomr,informm,inforrm,infrom,innform,inofrm,niform

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of inform - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

ifnorm2infform1infomr2informm1inforrm1infrom2innform1inofrm2
Edit distance from "inform"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "inform"?
"inform" is spelled I-N-F-O-R-M. The IPA pronunciation is /ɪnˈfɔɹm/.
What does "inform" mean?
As a verb, "inform" means: To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
What words are commonly confused with "inform"?
"inform" is commonly confused with "infra", "informed", "informal". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "inform"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "inform" is /ɪnˈfɔɹm/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "inform"?
From Middle English informen, enformen, borrowed from Old French enformer, informer (“to train, instruct, inform”), from Latin īnfōrmō (“to shape, form, train, instruct, educate”), from in- (“into”) + fōrma (“form, shape”), equivalent to in- + form. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “inform”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is I-N-F-O-R-M - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɪnˈfɔɹm/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “infra” - see the side-by-side comparison. inform vs infra
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list