What does uninformatively mean?
Uninformatively is an adverb meaning in a way that provides little or no useful information. It is used when a statement, explanation, presentation, or body of data is perceived as vague, repetitive, empty of detail, or incapable of helping the listener or reader understand something. The word has a critical tone: it suggests not merely that information is absent, but that communication has failed to achieve its purpose. For example, a report may be called uninformatively broad if it states a general conclusion without explaining the evidence behind it. The related adjective is uninformative, which can describe the report itself or the quality of its content. Uninformatively is most often found in formal commentary, criticism, journalism, and academic discussion, although it can occur naturally in ordinary conversation. Its usefulness lies in making a precise complaint about a lack of informative substance rather than merely saying that something is dull or disappointing.
adverbIn a way that provides little or no useful information. It describes speech, writing, presentation, or data that fails to convey meaningful content.
- In a way that provides little or no useful information.
"The briefing was so uninformatively generic that it gave the committee no basis for a decision."
"The briefing was so uninformatively generic that it gave the committee no basis for a decision."
"Most of the long lecture was delivered uninformatively, repeating claims without adding evidence."
Sometimes the problem is not that nothing was said, but that what was said added no usable information.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does uninformatively come from?
Uninformatively is formed from the adjective uninformative, using the adverbial suffix -ly. Uninformative combines the negative prefix un- with informative, which in turn comes from inform; the un- prefix reverses the meaning of the base word. Inform derives through the Latin informare, from in- and forma, meaning to shape or form, while information and informant come from the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How uninformatively is actually used
Relatively formal and evaluative, it is commonly used to criticize speech, writing, presentations, or data as lacking substance. It is less typical in casual conversation.
Easily confused with uninformatively
Uninformatively is the adverb describing how someone or something fails to provide useful information, while uninformative is the corresponding adjective.