What does notified mean?
Notified means that someone has been formally informed about a matter. The word is the past tense and past participle of notify and is especially common in official, administrative, professional, and legal contexts. People may be notified of a decision, an appointment, a change in arrangements, or another important development. It often suggests that information has been deliberately communicated, rather than that it was merely discovered. For example, an employer might notify an employee that an application has been approved, while a government office might notify residents that services will be suspended. The phrase “be notified of” is especially common, and the passive form “be notified” is often used in formal announcements. Although “notified” can occur in ordinary conversation, it has a more deliberate and official tone than words such as “told” or “informed.”
verb (past participle)Formally informed or told about something, especially by official notice. It is the past participle of notify.
- To inform someone officially or formally that something has happened or is to happen.
"All applicants will be notified of the decision by email."
"The landlord notified the tenants that repairs would begin on Monday."
"She was notified of the appointment by a text message."
The word has an official, procedural tone: being notified usually means that a decision, instruction, or important piece of information has formally reached you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does notified come from?
The word comes from the Latin verb notificare, formed from notus, meaning “known,” and facere, meaning “to make,” thus originally “to make known.” English developed the related forms “notice,” “notify,” and “notification” from this root. “Notified” is the modern past participle of “notify,” used to describe the completion of an act of communication.
Related word forms
How notified is actually used
Common in formal and professional contexts, including official correspondence, administration, and legal or workplace communication. It can also occur in less formal contexts when an announcement is made.
Easily confused with notified
“Notify” is the base verb in the present tense, while “notified” is its past tense and past participle, as in “They notified us.”