apprise

/əˈpraɪz/

Other forms: apprised; apprising; apprises

To apprise someone about something is to fill them in, to give them the scoop. If someone in your immediate family wins the mega-bucks lottery, you want to be the first one to be apprised of that event!

Don't confuse the verbs apprise and appraise. Appraise means to determine the value of something — either its quality or its monetary worth. Apprise, on the other hand, means to inform or make aware. This word has a rather formal, weighty tone. Presidents get apprised of foreign affairs, but you will most likely not get apprised of weather conditions or dinner plans.

Definitions of apprise

1. verb

   inform (somebody) of something
   synonyms: advise, apprize, give notice, notify, send word

   type of:

   inform

   impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
2. verb

   make aware of
   “Have the students been apprised of the tuition hike?”

   synonyms: apprize, instruct

   types:

   direct

   give directions to; point somebody into a certain direction

   brief

   give essential information to someone

   talk down

   direct and control (the flight of an airplane during landing) via radio

   point the way

   indicate the right path or direction

   type of:

   inform

   impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
3. verb

   gain in value
   synonyms: appreciate, apprize, revalue

   appreciate, apprize

   increase the value of

   type of:

   increase

   become bigger or greater in amount
4. verb

   increase the value of
   synonyms: appreciate, apprize

   appreciate, apprize, revalue

   gain in value

   type of:

   revalue

   value anew