Meaning & use
info center
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableinformal
A place or desk where people can get information, especially for visitors or tourists.
Grammar: Countable; use 'an' before it because it begins with a vowel sound.
Patterns
- at the info center
- visit an info center
- the tourist info center
We stopped at the info center to pick up a map of the city.
The tourist info center is next to the main station and opens at nine.
Staff at the info center can tell you which buses go to the airport.
nouncountableinformalcomputing
A computer help desk or online page that provides information about a product or service.
Grammar: Often used in software or company names; may be written 'InfoCenter' as a brand.
Patterns
- call the info center
- the online info center
- contact the info center
If the app crashes, check the info center on the company's website.
The university's IT info center answers student questions by phone and email.
Word forms
| plural | info centers |
|---|
Common combinations
- tourist info center
- The tourist info center gave us a free walking map.
- at the info center
- Ask at the info center if you need a wheelchair.
- call the info center
- Call the info center to check opening times.
- info center desk
- A volunteer sat behind the info center desk all morning.
Synonyms and how they differ
- information desk
- More formal and common inside buildings such as airports; 'info center' is a little more casual.
- visitor center
- Usually a larger place with exhibits; an info center mainly answers questions.
Word family
- info noun
- Informal short form of 'information'.
- information noun
- Facts or details about something.
- center noun
- A place where a particular activity happens.
Commonly confused: info center or information center?
info center vs information center
The full, formal form; 'info center' is the shortened, informal version and is better avoided in formal writing.
Practice
Before we explore the old town, let's stop at the ______ to get a map.
Choose one answer.
'Info center' is the place where you get maps and advice. 'Information' is the thing you receive, 'inform' is a verb, and 'informed' is an adjective or past form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “info center”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.