# inform

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪnˈfɔɹm/ · frequency rank #5,603

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

## Easily confused with
- **infra** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inform-vs-infra)
- **informed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inform-vs-informed)
- **informal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inform-vs-informal)
- **informer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inform-vs-informer)
- **info** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/info-vs-inform)
- **infer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-inform)
- **Indore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/indore-vs-inform)
- **infirm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infirm-vs-inform)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ifnorm`, `infform`, `infomr`, `informm`, `inforrm`, `infrom`, `innform`, `inofrm`, `niform`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/inform