What does apprise mean?
"Apprise" is a formal verb meaning to inform or notify someone about something, particularly in official, professional, or ceremonial contexts. When you apprise someone of a situation, you make them aware of the relevant facts — often with an implication of duty or courtesy rather than casual conversation. The word appears frequently in legal, diplomatic, corporate, and governmental language, where keeping stakeholders informed is expected. It commonly takes the passive form "to be apprised of," as in "the board was kept fully apprised of developments." Though less common in everyday speech than simpler alternatives like "tell" or "inform," "apprise" lends a tone of formality and thoroughness that suits written reports, briefings, and official correspondence. A frequent point of confusion is its near-namesake "appraise," which instead means to evaluate the worth or quality of something. Knowing the distinction between these two words is a small but reliable marker of careful, precise English usage.
verbTo inform or tell someone about something, especially formally or officially.
- To inform or notify someone about something, typically in a formal or official manner.
"The ambassador was fully apprised of the negotiations before the talks began."
"Please keep me apprised of any developments in the case."
"The manager apprised the team of the new policy during the morning meeting."
Despite sounding like it belongs in a courtroom, "apprise" simply means to keep someone in the loop — and it's often confused with "appraise," which is about putting a price on things.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of apprise
"Apprise" entered English in the late 17th century, borrowed from French "appriser," which meant to inform or teach. The French verb derives from Latin "pretium," meaning price or value, via the sense of setting a value on something — making "apprise" a distant relative of words like "appraise," "appreciate," "praise," and "price." Over time, the English word settled into its modern meaning of formally informing someone.
Related word forms
How apprise is actually used
"Apprise" carries a formal register and is most common in professional, legal, diplomatic, or business contexts. It frequently appears in the passive construction "to be apprised of something." It is more formal than "tell" or "let someone know."
Easily confused with apprise
"Apprise" means to inform someone, while "appraise" means to assess the value or quality of something.