1 ~ sb (of / about sth) to tell sb about sth, especially in an official way:
[VN] Please inform us of any changes of address. * The leaflet informs customers about healthy eating. * He went to inform them of his decision. * Inform me at once if there are any changes in her condition. * Have the police been informed? * [VNthat] I have been reliably informed (= somebody I trust has told me) that the couple will marry next year. * A notice informed the guests that formal dress was required. * I am pleased to inform you that you have won first prize in this month's competition. * [VNspeech] 'He's already left,' she informed us. [also VNwh-]
2 [VN] ~ yourself (of / about sth) to find out information about sth:
We need time to inform ourselves thoroughly of the problem.
3 [VN] (formal) to have an influence on sth:
Religion informs every aspect of their lives. * These guidelines will be used to inform any future decisions.
PHRASALVERBS
inform on sb to give information to the police or sb in authority about the illegal activities of sb:
He informed on his own brother.
