What does report mean?
Report is a versatile word for both an account of information and the act of communicating information. As a noun, it can mean a spoken or written account of events, an official document containing findings, or, in older and more formal usage, a person’s reputation or character. As a verb, it means to tell or notify someone, to present information in an official document, or to describe something as supposedly true. A person may report a defect, report misconduct, report for work, or report that conditions are improving. The word often appears in professional and institutional settings, but it is equally common in everyday speech. Its usefulness lies in its ability to cover both the process of bringing information to others and the resulting account itself. Related phrases distinguish between different functions: making or filing a report, reporting a problem, and reporting for duty. Although the verb sometimes suggests an official or serious communication, it can also be neutral: simply reporting an observation does not necessarily imply a complaint or accusation.
An account of information, facts, or events, often presented in written or spoken form. In older formal usage, it can also mean reputation or character.
"The official report gives a detailed account of the investigation."
The sense meaning reputation is now mainly preserved in expressions such as “of good report” and “of bad report.”
To communicate information or notify someone of something; to present oneself at a specified place or time; or to state that something is said or believed to be the case.
"Employees are required to report any safety concerns to their supervisor."
The verb may be neutral or formal. In “report for duty,” it means to present oneself for work, while in “reportedly,” it indicates information that is not necessarily confirmed.
The plural is used for separate accounts, documents, or pieces of information, as well as for the regular third-person singular form of the verb.
"The researchers published their reports after reviewing the data."
From Latin reportare, literally “carry back”: a report is information brought back to others.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How report is actually used
The noun is common in formal, journalistic, academic, and workplace contexts. The verb can mean merely to provide information, without implying wrongdoing. In the older expression “of good report,” the noun means reputation or character.
Easily confused with report
A report conveys specific information or an account of events, whereas reputation is the general regard in which a person or thing is held.
A report is an account or an act of communicating information, while a resort is a place people visit or a course of action they turn to.