Word
informer
Phoneticsin·former
US/ˌɪnˈfɔɹmɝ/
UK/ɪnfˈɔːmɐ/
Definition
n. a person who tells the police or the government about a crime or a secret. They usually do this to get a reward or to stay out of trouble themselves.
n. a person who provides information to the police or a government agency, typically in exchange for a reward or protection. Often carries a negative connotation of betrayal or lack of loyalty.
Examples
“The police are looking for an informer who leaked the secret.”
“The witness was identified as an informer who had previously worked for the rival gang.”
“The investigation into the corruption scandal revealed that an informer within the department had provided the evidence necessary to secure the convictions of several high-ranking officials.”
Examples
simple
“The police are looking for an informer who leaked the secret.”
contextual
“The witness was identified as an informer who had previously worked for the rival gang.”
complex
“The investigation into the corruption scandal revealed that an informer within the department had provided the evidence necessary to secure the convictions of several high-ranking officials.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “informer” in context.
Verb
01. act as informer
“He agreed to act as an informer in exchange for a lighter sentence.”
verb + prep + noun
02. expose informer
“The leak exposed the informer and put his family in danger.”
verb + noun
03. informer claims
“The informer claims the robbery was planned months in advance.”
noun + verb
04. informer testifies
“The informer testifies behind a screen to conceal his identity.”
noun + verb
05. protect informer
“Police took steps to protect the informer after threats were made.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. anonymous informer
“An anonymous informer alerted the authorities to the smuggling operation.”
adj + noun
07. confidential informer
“Police refused to name the confidential informer who tipped them off.”
adj + noun
08. paid informer
“The tabloid was accused of using a paid informer to get the story.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. protection for informer
“The court ordered round-the-clock protection for the informer.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a network of informers
“The regime maintained a vast network of informers across the city.”
11. act as a paid informer
“He agreed to act as a paid informer to reduce his prison sentence.”
12. protect an informer's identity
“The court withheld details to protect an informer's identity.”
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English enformour, from Anglo-Norman enfourmour; equivalent to inform + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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