informer
word
Definition
A person who secretly gives information about someone, especially to the police or authorities, often about illegal or dishonest activities.
Usage & Nuances
Fairly formal; 'informer' can sound negative or imply betrayal, especially in criminal or police contexts. Informal or slang alternatives: 'snitch', 'rat'. Not used for neutral or positive reporting of information.
Spanish: informante - soplón (informal, peyorativo)Portuguese (BR): informante - delator (informal) - dedo-duro (gíria, pejorativo)Portuguese (PT): informador - delator (informal) - bufo (gíria, pejorativo)Chinese (Simplified): 线人 - 告密者Chinese (Traditional): 線人 - 告密者Hindi: सूचक - मुखबिरArabic: مُخْبِر - واشٍBengali: খবরদাতা - গুপ্তচরRussian: осведомитель - доносчикJapanese: 密告者 - インフォーマーVietnamese: kẻ chỉ điểm - người chỉ điểmKorean: 정보원 - 밀고자Turkish: muhbir - jurnalciUrdu: مخبر - جاسوسIndonesian: informan - mata-mata
Example Sentences
The police arrested the thief with help from an informer.
basic
The informer gave information about the gang.
basic
Everyone was afraid there was an informer in the group.
basic
He acted secretly as an informer for years before anyone found out.
natural
Nobody trusts an informer once their identity is revealed.
natural
Rumors spread quickly that there might be an informer among us.
natural