What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
informant
Example
The police received a tip from an informant about the drug trafficking operation. [informant: noun]
Example
He was an informant for the FBI and provided them with valuable information. [informant: noun]
tipster
Example
The horse racing tipster gave us some good advice on which horse to bet on. [tipster: noun]
Example
She's a great travel tipster and always has great recommendations for places to visit. [tipster: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Informant is less common than tipster in everyday language, as it is more specific to legal or law enforcement contexts. Tipster is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, including sports, travel, and finance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between informant and tipster?
Informant is more formal than tipster, as it is often used in legal or law enforcement contexts. Tipster is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.