verb
Uncommon
notify
NOH-tih-feye
Notify (verb) means to tell someone officially about something; to inform. Example: “Please notify us immediately if your address changes.”
verb
1
To tell someone officially about something; to inform.
"Please notify us immediately if your address changes."
"The school will notify parents by email if the trip is cancelled."
"You must notify the bank before travelling abroad with your card."
How to use notify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo formally let someone know about something.
Common pairings
notify authorities
notify someone of
be notified
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- notifies
- Past tense
- notified
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ us immediately if your address changes.
Etymology
From Old French notifier, ultimately from Latin notus ("known").
Related words
Rhymes for notify
See all rhymes for notify →Frequently asked questions
What does “notify” mean?
The word “notify” means to tell someone officially about something; to inform. In plain terms, to formally let someone know about something.
How do you pronounce “notify”?
“Notify” is pronounced NOH-tih-feye (/ˈnoʊtɪfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “notify” in a sentence?
Here is “notify” used in a sentence: “Please notify us immediately if your address changes.”
What is another word for “notify”?
Words with a similar meaning to “notify” include apprise and inform.
What part of speech is “notify”?
“Notify” is a verb.
Where does the word “notify” come from?
The word “notify” comes from Latin. From Old French notifier, ultimately from Latin notus ("known").
Is “notify” a common word?
“Notify” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between notify and inform?
Notify often implies an official or formal act of telling someone about something, such as notifying an employer of a resignation, while inform is a more general term for giving someone information. Notify is common in legal, administrative, and workplace contexts.
Is notify formal or informal?
Notify tends to sound more formal than everyday alternatives like 'tell' or 'let someone know,' and it is frequently used in official, legal, or business communication. In casual conversation, people are more likely to say they 'told' or 'let someone know' rather than 'notified' them.
What is the correct grammar pattern for notify: 'notify someone of' or 'notify someone about'?
Both 'notify someone of something' and 'notify someone about something' are grammatically correct, though 'notify someone of' is more common in formal or legal writing. The verb requires a person as the direct object followed by the information being communicated.
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