Definition

1. Noun:
   • Knowledge or facts about something: "Information" refers to data, details, or intelligence that is communicated, received, or understood, providing awareness or understanding of a subject.
   • A collection of data: It can denote organized or unorganized facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis.
   • A formal charge or accusation: In legal contexts, "information" is a formal accusation of a crime, presented by a prosecuting officer without a grand jury indictment.

Usage and Examples

• General Knowledge/Facts:
  • The website provides useful information about local events.
  • I need more information before I can make a decision.
• Collected Data:
  • The report is based on information gathered from several surveys.
  • All your personal information is stored securely.
• Legal Accusation:
  • The prosecutor filed an information charging the defendant with fraud.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "For your information (FYI)": A phrase used to introduce a piece of information, often in written communication, to indicate it is being provided for the recipient's awareness.
  • FYI, the meeting has been moved to 3 PM.
• "A piece of information": Refers to a single fact or item of knowledge.
  • He gave me an interesting piece of information about the company's history.
• "Information overload": A state of being overwhelmed by too much information or data.
  • With constant news alerts, many people suffer from information overload.

Variants and Related Words

• Inform (verb): To give someone facts or information; to tell.
  • Please inform the team of the schedule change.
• Informative (adjective): Providing useful or interesting information.
  • The documentary was very informative.
• Misinformation (noun): False or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive.
  • The article was full of misinformation.
• Disinformation (noun): False information which is intended to mislead, especially propaganda issued by a government organization to a rival power or the media.
  • The agency was accused of spreading disinformation.

Synonyms

• Data: Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis. (Often more raw and unprocessed than "information").
• Intelligence: Information, especially of military or political value.
• Knowledge: Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Information technology (IT): The study or use of systems for storing, retrieving, and sending information, especially computers and telecommunications.
  • She works in information technology.
• Information desk: A place in a public building where people can go to ask questions and get information.
  • Ask for directions at the information desk.
• Freedom of information: The right to access information held by public authorities.
  • He requested the documents under freedom of information laws.

Idioms and Common Expressions

• A mine of information: A person or thing that is a rich source of information.
  • My grandfather is a mine of information about local history.
• Too much information (TMI): An informal expression used when someone has revealed personal or intimate details that are considered inappropriate or more than the listener wanted to know.
  • When he started describing his surgery, I just thought, "TMI!"

Noun

1. (communication theory) a numerical measure of the uncertainty of an outcome
   • the signal contained thousands of bits of information
2. a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
   • statistical data
3. formal accusation of a crime
4. knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction
5. a message received and understood