confidential informant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2/C1Formal, Legal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “confidential informant” mean?
A person who secretly provides information, usually to law enforcement or a government agency, with an expectation of anonymity and often in exchange for some benefit or leniency.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who secretly provides information, usually to law enforcement or a government agency, with an expectation of anonymity and often in exchange for some benefit or leniency.
A source of privileged information who operates under a formal or informal agreement of secrecy, common in investigative, intelligence, and legal contexts; can also refer metaphorically to any trusted secret source in non-legal domains.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'informant' is slightly more common in police/legal contexts, while 'source' is preferred in journalism. In American English, 'confidential informant' (CI) is a standard, defined term in law enforcement and legal documents.
Connotations
Similar in both, implying secrecy, potential risk, and a transactional element. May carry a slightly more formal, bureaucratic connotation in AmE due to its codified use.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to its prevalent use in U.S. legal dramas, news, and official police terminology. Less common in everyday British conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “confidential informant” in a Sentence
[Agency] used a confidential informant to gather evidence against [Target].The identity of the confidential informant was revealed to [Recipient].[Person] agreed to become a confidential informant for [Agency] in exchange for [Benefit].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “confidential informant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The suspect was informanted by a former associate.
- Police are attempting to informant within the organisation.
American English
- The agency managed to informant a key member of the cartel.
- He was informanted against by his cellmate.
adverb
British English
- The information was given informantly and under code.
- He acted informantly for months.
American English
- She cooperated informantly with the DEA.
- The data was collected informantly.
adjective
British English
- The informant-based intelligence led to the raid.
- They ran an informant-led operation.
American English
- The informant-provided tip was crucial.
- They followed informant-derived evidence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'He acted as a confidential informant about the competitor's merger plans.'
Academic
Used in criminology, sociology, and law papers discussing policing methods, ethics of informant use, and intelligence gathering.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual talk. Heard primarily in news reports or crime dramas.
Technical
A precise term in U.S. law enforcement, referring to individuals registered with an agency to provide information under specific guidelines, often with a signed agreement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “confidential informant”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “confidential informant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “confidential informant”
- Using 'confident informant' (spelling error).
- Using it interchangeably with 'witness' (a witness may testify openly; a CI's role is secret).
- Overusing in non-legal contexts where 'source' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A whistleblower typically exposes wrongdoing within their own organisation to the public or authorities, often protected by law. A confidential informant is usually someone providing information on criminal activity to law enforcement from within or close to a criminal milieu, with a primary focus on secrecy and prosecution.
A witness observes an event and may testify in court. A confidential informant actively provides information, often covertly and over time, and their identity is usually protected from disclosure. All CIs are potential witnesses, but not all witnesses are CIs.
Common reasons include receiving leniency in their own legal cases (plea bargains), financial payment, avoidance of deportation, or, less commonly, a genuine desire to assist law enforcement. The relationship is often transactional.
No. Reliability varies greatly. Informants may have motives to lie, exaggerate, or provide information to settle personal grudges. Corroborating evidence is typically sought before acting solely on CI information.
A person who secretly provides information, usually to law enforcement or a government agency, with an expectation of anonymity and often in exchange for some benefit or leniency.
Confidential informant is usually formal, legal, journalistic in register.
Confidential informant: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒn.fɪˈden.ʃəl ɪnˈfɔː.mənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːn.fəˈden.ʃəl ˈɪn.fɔːr.mənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To turn informant”
- “To wear a wire (related action)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CI' as 'Covert Insider'. A Confidential Informant is a Covert Insider who gives Information.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A COMMODITY (traded for leniency); THE INFORMANT IS A TOOL (used by authorities); SECRECY IS A CONTAINER (the informant's identity is kept *in* confidence).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'confidential informant' MOST precisely and formally used?