Info vs. Information: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 28, 2023
"Info" is a colloquial abbreviation of "Information," both referring to facts or details about a topic.
Key Differences
"Info" and "Information" are closely related terms, with the former being an abbreviation of the latter. Both words pertain to the details, facts, or knowledge about a subject. While "Information" is the full term and is used in formal contexts, "Info" is a more casual, concise version suitable for informal settings.
In everyday speech and writing, especially in contexts that value brevity, such as texting or social media, "Info" is frequently used. "Information," on the other hand, is more commonly found in official documents, academic papers, and professional settings. It carries a more formal tone and is seen as the complete representation of the concept.
Both "Info" and "Information" play critical roles in communication. While "Info" is ideal for quick exchanges and when word economy is essential, "Information" is the term of choice for clarity and authority. The choice between the two typically hinges on the setting and the intended audience.
A distinction can also be drawn in terms of perception. "Info" might be seen as more contemporary and current, reflecting the fast-paced nature of modern communication. "Information," being the full term, often conveys depth and thoroughness, suggesting a comprehensive understanding or explanation.
In the realm of technology and digital communication, both terms are prominent. "Info" might be seen on buttons or tabs on a website for quick access to details. In contrast, "Information" could headline detailed reports, in-depth articles, or data analysis, emphasizing the comprehensive content that follows.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Informal
Formal
Usage Context
Texting, social media
Official documents, academic papers
Length
Abbreviated
Full term
Perception
Contemporary, quick
Comprehensive, authoritative
Typical Application
Buttons or tabs on a website
Detailed reports, in-depth articles
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Info and Information Definitions
Info
Abbreviated form of Information.
Can you send me the info?
Information
Knowledge acquired through study or experience.
He has a lot of information about birds.
Info
Brief mention of particulars.
She gave me the basic info.
Information
Data or particulars about someone or something.
The brochure contains information on the resort.
Info
Informal term for knowledge about a topic.
Do you have any info on that subject?
Information
What is conveyed or represented by a particular arrangement or sequence.
Genes carry information for producing proteins.
Info
Concise term denoting specifics.
I need more info before deciding.
Information
A collection of facts or data.
The computer processes information rapidly.
Info
Quick reference to details or facts.
The event info is on the poster.
Information
Knowledge or facts learned, especially about a certain subject or event.
Info
Information.
Information
The act of informing or the condition of being informed; communication of knowledge
Safety instructions are provided for the information of our passengers.
Info
(informal) information.
Information
(Computers) Processed, stored, or transmitted data.
Info
A message received and understood
Information
A numerical measure of the uncertainty of an experimental outcome.
Information
(Law) A formal accusation of a crime made by a public officer rather than by grand jury indictment in instances in which the offense, if a federal crime, is not a felony or in which the offense, if a state crime, is allowed prosecution in that manner rather than by indictment.
Information
That which resolves uncertainty; anything that answers the question of "what a given entity is".
Information
Things that are or can be known about a given topic; communicable knowledge of something.
I need some more information about this issue.
Information
The act of informing or imparting knowledge; notification.
For your information, I did this because I wanted to.
Information
A statement of criminal activity brought before a judge or magistrate; in the UK, used to inform a magistrate of an offence and request a warrant; in the US, an accusation brought before a judge without a grand jury indictment.
Information
(obsolete) The act of informing against someone, passing on incriminating knowledge; accusation.
Information
The systematic imparting of knowledge; education, training.
Information
The creation of form; the imparting of a given quality or characteristic; forming, animation.
Information
[…] the meaning that a human assigns to data by means of the known conventions used in its representation.
Information
(Christianity) Divine inspiration.
Information
A service provided by telephone which provides listed telephone numbers of a subscriber.
Information
(information theory) Any unambiguous abstract data, the smallest possible unit being the bit.
Information
As contrasted with data, information is processed to extract relevant data.
Information
(information technology) Any ordered sequence of symbols (or signals) (that could contain a message).
Information
The act of informing, or communicating knowledge or intelligence.
The active informations of the intellect.
Information
Any fact or set of facts, knowledge, news, or advice, whether communicated by others or obtained by personal study and investigation; any datum that reduces uncertainty about the state of any part of the world; intelligence; knowledge derived from reading, observation, or instruction.
Larger opportunities of information.
He should get some information in the subject he intends to handle.
Information
A proceeding in the nature of a prosecution for some offense against the government, instituted and prosecuted, really or nominally, by some authorized public officer on behalf of the government. It differs from an indictment in criminal cases chiefly in not being based on the finding of a grand jury. See Indictment.
Information
A measure of the number of possible choices of messages contained in a symbol, signal, transmitted message, or other information-bearing object; it is usually quantified as the negative logarithm of the number of allowed symbols that could be contained in the message; for logarithms to the base 2, the measure corresponds to the unit of information, the hartley, which is log210, or 3.323 bits; called also information content. The smallest unit of information that can be contained or transmitted is the bit, corresponding to a yes-or-no decision.
Information
Useful facts, as contrasted with raw data; as, among all this data, there must be some interesting information.
Information
A message received and understood
Information
A collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn;
Statistical data
Information
Knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction
Information
(communication theory) a numerical measure of the uncertainty of an outcome;
The signal contained thousands of bits of information
Information
Formal accusation of a crime
Information
Facts or details about a particular subject.
The library is a source of vast information.
FAQs
Is "Info" acceptable in academic papers?
Generally, "Information" is preferred in academic papers for its formality.
Is "Info" a newer term?
"Info" is a more contemporary abbreviation of "Information," especially prevalent in digital communication.
Which term indicates a more comprehensive detail, "Info" or "Information"?
"Information" often conveys more comprehensive detail.
Can "Information" be used in casual conversation?
Yes, "Information" can be used casually, though "Info" might sound more natural.
Is there a difference in meaning between "Info" and "Information"?
No, "Info" is simply an abbreviation of "Information."
Can "Info" stand alone in a sentence?
Yes, e.g., "I need more info."
When is it most appropriate to use "Info"?
"Info" is best for informal settings, like texting or social media.
Is "Info" an American English term?
"Info" is widely used in American English, but it's understood in many other English-speaking regions as well.
Is "Info" a formal word?
No, "Info" is informal; "Information" is the formal term.
Can "Information" be abbreviated as "Info" in official documents?
It's preferable to use "Information" in official documents for clarity and formality.
How has digital communication influenced the use of "Info"?
Digital communication, valuing brevity, has popularized the use of "Info."
Are there any synonyms for "Information"?
Yes, terms like "data," "facts," and "details" can be synonyms.
Can "Information" be both singular and plural?
Yes, "Information" can be uncountable (singular) or refer to multiple pieces of data (plural context).
In technology, where might "Info" be prominently displayed?
"Info" might be seen on website buttons or tabs for quick access.
Is "Information" always more comprehensive than "Info"?
Not necessarily, but "Information" often conveys a sense of thoroughness.
How can I differentiate between using "Info" and "Information"?
Consider the context and audience; "Info" for casual and "Information" for formal settings.
How has the use of "Info" evolved over time?
"Info" has become more prevalent with the rise of digital communication and the need for brevity.
Are both "Info" and "Information" nouns?
Yes, both are nouns representing facts or details about a subject.
Can "Info" be used in professional emails?
While it's understood, it's better to use "Information" for a more professional tone.
In what contexts is "Information" preferred?
"Information" is preferred in formal writings, presentations, and academic contexts.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
