You've probably seen it in a stiff email from a lawyer or a boss who’s trying a bit too hard to sound professional. "Please keep me apprised of the situation." It’s one of those words that feels heavy, like it belongs in a leather-bound book from the 1800s. But what does apprised mean, really? Honestly, it’s just a fancy way of saying "keep me in the loop" or "let me know what's happening." It’s about information flow. It’s about not being the last person to find out the office coffee machine is broken again.
Language is weird. We have perfectly good words like "inform" or "tell," yet we reach for the $10 words when we want to sound authoritative. If you've ever felt a bit hesitant to use it because you weren't 100% sure if you were using it right—or if you were accidentally saying "appraised" instead—you aren't alone.
Defining Apprised (And Why Everyone Mixes It Up)
At its core, to apprise someone is to give them notice or to inform them. It comes from the French word apprendre, which means to teach or to learn. Think of it as a formal transfer of knowledge. When you apprise your manager of a project's status, you aren't just chatting; you're officially updating them.
The biggest headache with this word isn't the definition. It's the twin brother: appraised.
People swap these two constantly. It’s a classic linguistic slip-up. To appraise something is to figure out what it’s worth. You appraise a house. You appraise a diamond ring. You appraise a subsidized vintage comic book collection. You apprise a person. Basically, if you are talking to a human being about information, use apprised. If you are talking to a person about the monetary value of a physical object, you’re looking for "appraisal."
Pro Tip: Remember that "apprise" has "rise" in it. You are helping someone’s knowledge rise to the level of your own.
The Subtle Art of the Preposition
The way you structure a sentence with this word matters. It’s almost always followed by "of."
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- "I will keep you apprised of any changes."
- "She was apprised of her rights."
You rarely see it standing alone. Saying "I will apprise you" sounds incomplete, like a sneeze that won't come. It needs that "of" to bridge the gap to the information. It’s a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object. You apprise someone of something.
Why Context Is Everything
Is it pretentious? Sometimes.
If you’re texting a friend about what time you’re heading to the bar, saying "I shall apprise you of my arrival" makes you sound like an 18th-century duke. Don't do that. Stick to "I'll text you when I'm there." However, in a corporate environment or a legal setting, it’s the standard. It carries a weight of responsibility. If a doctor says they will keep a family apprised of a patient's condition, it sounds more formal and committed than saying they'll "keep them posted."
Real-World Examples of Apprised in Action
Let’s look at how this actually shows up in the wild.
In the legal world, the phrase "well-apprised" is common. A judge might want to ensure a defendant is "fully apprised of the charges against them." This isn't just about being told; it’s about a formal acknowledgement that the information was received and understood.
In business, particularly in project management, "keeping stakeholders apprised" is a recurring theme. It’s a key part of the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) philosophy. Communication plans are literally designed to ensure that everyone is apprised of milestones and risks. If a project fails because the CEO didn't know the budget was blown, the project manager failed to keep them apprised.
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Does it belong in your vocabulary?
Honestly, use it sparingly.
Overusing formal vocabulary can actually make you seem less confident. Research by Daniel Oppenheimer at Princeton University—he wrote a paper titled "Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Irrespective of Usefulness: Needless Utilization of Big Words Causes a Lower Intelligence Rating"—suggests that using overly complex language can actually make people think you're less intelligent.
The goal is clarity. If apprised fits the formal tone of a document, use it. If you're writing a blog post or a casual email, "informed" or "notified" usually works better.
Historical Context and Etymology
The word first started appearing in English in the late 16th century. Back then, it was much closer to its French roots. Over time, it carved out a niche in the English language as a way to describe the formal act of notifying someone.
It’s interesting to note that while "apprise" is the standard American spelling, you might occasionally see "apprize" in older British texts, though that's largely fallen out of fashion. Nowadays, "apprize" is more likely to be confused with "prize" or "appraise," so sticking to the "s" spelling is your safest bet for clarity.
Common Synonyms (And When to Use Them)
Sometimes you want the meaning of apprised without the baggage of sounding like a lawyer.
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- Notify: This is great for official business. "We will notify you when the package ships."
- Advise: Often used in professional services. "Please advise us of your decision." Just be careful here, as "advise" can also mean giving a recommendation.
- Brief: This implies a quick, high-level overview. "I’ll brief the team on the new goals."
- Update: The modern king of communication. "Keep me updated."
Understanding the "Apprised" vs. "Informed" Nuance
Is there a difference? Sorta.
"Informed" is a broad umbrella. You can be informed about a fact, a feeling, or a news story. Apprised carries a sense of "as it happens." It implies an ongoing process of being kept up to date. If I inform you that the meeting is at 2:00 PM, that’s a one-time thing. If I keep you apprised of the meeting schedule, it suggests that if that 2:00 PM time changes, I'm going to tell you immediately.
It’s about the flow.
Improving Your Communication Using This Concept
The reason people care about what apprised means isn't just for a spelling bee. It's because being the person who keeps others informed is a massive professional asset.
In any relationship—work or personal—information gaps cause anxiety. When you tell someone, "I'll keep you apprised," you're making a promise to eliminate those gaps. It’s a proactive stance. Instead of them having to come to you and ask, "Hey, what’s the status?" you’re telling them that you will bring the status to them.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to use this word correctly and effectively, here is how to handle it:
- Audit your emails: Check if you're using "appraised" when you actually mean "apprised." It's a common mistake that spellcheck doesn't always catch because both are real words.
- Match the tone: Use "apprised" in formal reports, legal correspondence, or high-stakes business emails.
- Switch to "Update": In Slack, Teams, or casual conversations, stick to "update" or "keep me in the loop."
- Check for the "of": Always ensure you have the preposition "of" following the word. "I'll apprise you of the details" is correct; "I'll apprise the details" is not.
Understanding the nuance of language like this isn't about being a grammar snob. It's about precision. When you know exactly what a word means and how it's perceived, you can control the message you're sending. Whether you choose to use it or go with something simpler, you're now fully apprised of the situation.
Practical Exercise: Look at your last three sent emails. If you find yourself using the same word for "inform" every time, try swapping one out. If the context is formal, see if apprised fits. If it feels too stiff, try "briefed" or "notified." The goal is to build a vocabulary that serves your intent, not one that makes you sound like a dictionary.