Definition

A type of television advertisement that is longer than a typical commercial and often includes demonstrations or discussions about a product.

Example

The late-night infomercial convinced me to buy the new kitchen gadget.

Conversation

Did you see that infomercial last night about the new kitchen gadget?

Yeah, I caught a glimpse of it!

It looked so useful, but I wonder if it actually works like they say in the infomercial.

I guess we could check out some reviews online to find out!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Infomercial is formed from "info-" (short for information, derived from Latin "informare", meaning to inform) and "commercial" (from Latin "commercialis", meaning pertaining to trade). The word refers to a television program that provides information about a product while also promoting it for sale, blending information with commercial intent.

Memory Tip

Think of 'information' ('info-') being presented in a 'commercial' format — that's how an infomercial combines both elements.

Visually Confused Words