English Reference
verb · adjective

informing

v. · adj.
US /ˌɪnˈfɔɹmɪŋ/ UK /ɪnfˈɔːmɪŋ/ in·form·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.telling someone about a fact or a situation.

    v.the act of providing specific information or notifying a party of a fact.

    Simple

    The company sent a letter informing all employees about the new office hours.

    In context

    Informing the stakeholders of the potential risks early in the process allowed the project manager to mitigate several critical issues before they escalated.

    Usage

    Often followed by a direct object and a prepositional phrase starting with 'of' or 'about'.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency ArchaicLiterary

    adj.providing useful knowledge or helping you learn.

    adj.serving to inform, educate, or provide insight. This usage is largely replaced by 'informative' in modern contexts.

    Simple

    The old professor gave an informing lecture that changed how I saw the world.

    In context

    The author provided an informing account of the revolution, weaving personal anecdotes with rigorous historical analysis in a manner typical of nineteenth-century prose.

    Teacher's tip

    This adjectival sense is rare in modern English; students should use 'informative' instead.

    uninformative

Usage informing the public

Graceland’s influence as a genre-defying, cross-pollinated album has spread far and wide, informing brilliant artists such as Vampire Weekend and Lorde , plus with one particular viral parody of Simon’s approach.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

A few days later, the family issued a statement regarding Jorge Messi’s “health situation”, informing the public that he was undergoing medical treatment.

The Guardian· 8 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated