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Informant: meaning, definitions and examples

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informant

 

[ˈɪn.fɔː.mənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

intelligence

A person who provides information or gives evidence to help in solving crimes or gathering intelligence.

Synonyms

source, whistleblower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
informant

Use when referring to someone who provides confidential or secret information, often to authorities or organizations. This term is neutral and commonly used in legal and investigative contexts.

  • The police relied on an informant to gather evidence for the case.
  • The journalist was able to secure crucial details from an informant within the company.
source

This is a general term for the origin of information, often used in journalism, research, or any situation where information is gathered from a person or document.

  • The reporter had multiple sources confirming the story.
  • In academic papers, always cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.
whistleblower

This term is used to describe a person who exposes wrongdoing, illegal activities, or unethical behavior within an organization. It often implies a sense of bravery and moral responsibility, sometimes with a negative connotation from the organization's perspective.

  • The whistleblower revealed the corruption within the government agency.
  • After the company scandal, the whistleblower received both praises and threats.

Examples of usage

  • The police were able to make an arrest thanks to a reliable informant.
  • The informant shared valuable information about the criminal organization.
Context #2 | Noun

linguistics

A native speaker of a language who assists in the study or documentation of that language.

Synonyms

consultant, language expert, native speaker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
informant

Use this when referring to someone who provides information, typically in a secretive or confidential manner. This term often has a negative connotation and can imply secrecy or betrayal.

  • The police had an informant in the gang who provided crucial information
  • The journalist relied on several informants to expose the corruption scandal
consultant

This is appropriate when referring to a professional who provides expert advice in a specific field. This person is usually hired to offer guidance and solutions.

  • The company hired a consultant to improve their marketing strategy
  • She works as an IT consultant, helping businesses secure their networks

Examples of usage

  • The linguist relied on the informant to provide accurate translations.
  • The informant helped the researchers understand the nuances of the language.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'informare', meaning 'to shape, train, or instruct'.
  • Originally used in legal contexts to refer to someone who provides information about a crime.

Law Enforcement

  • Informants are often used by police to gather information about criminal activities.
  • They can operate under different agreements, sometimes receiving payments or protection for their information.
  • Their role can be controversial, as some believe it compromises ethics in law enforcement.

Literature and Film

  • In many spy novels and movies, informants provide critical intelligence that drives the plot.
  • Classic examples include characters who secretly gather secrets from rival organizations, often risking their lives.

Psychology

  • The concept of an informant can touch on trust issues – who do we share information with and why?
  • Research shows that individuals are more likely to inform on others when they perceive their own safety or benefit.

Pop Culture

  • Television shows like 'Breaking Bad' feature informants as key players in the drug world, complicating relationships.
  • Many documentaries explore the lives of informants, revealing their motivations and stories.

Translations

Translations of the word "informant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 informante

🇮🇳 सूचना देने वाला

🇩🇪 Informant

🇮🇩 informan

🇺🇦 інформатор

🇵🇱 informator

🇯🇵 情報提供者 (じょうほうていきょうしゃ)

🇫🇷 informateur

🇪🇸 informante

🇹🇷 muhbir

🇰🇷 정보 제공자 (정보 제공자)

🇸🇦 مُخْبِر

🇨🇿 informátor

🇸🇰 informátor

🇨🇳 举报人 (jǔbào rén)

🇸🇮 informator

🇮🇸 uppljóstrari

🇰🇿 ақпарат беруші

🇬🇪 ინფორმატორი

🇦🇿 məlumat verən

🇲🇽 informante

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,715, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.