informal

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈfȯr-məl How to pronounce informal (audio)
Definition of informalnext
1
as in unconventional
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules an informal meeting allowed everyone to get acquainted

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in casual
not designed to be worn only on special occasions chose an informal flowery dress

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing the use of informal language in a scholarly article is really inappropriate

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of informal Dmitriev, who once worked in investment banking and now serves as an informal Kremlin envoy, has been promoting joint U.S.-Russia economic ventures, including cooperation on energy, mineral extraction and even space exploration, as a potential part of a broader normalization of ties. — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025 The informal settlement of wooden shacks was built on a landfill dump, and the tremors ignited a huge fire which spread rapidly, residents said. — Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025 Male Alzheimer’s caregivers group: The Men’s Breakfast Club is an informal and unstructured gathering of male caregivers. — Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025 Rubin set him up with Kanye West, who at the time was hosting a series of informal songwriting sessions at his home in Los Angeles. — Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
  1. unconventional
  2. casual
  3. colloquial
  4. vernacular
Adjective
  • These unconventional or niche markets—whether they’re built around specific lifestyles, cultural shifts, unique services, or underserved consumer segments—can offer less competition, more loyal customers, and a sharper opportunity to stand out.
    — Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Following the unconventional release of latest album Bully, the artist formerly known as Kanye West has dropped the potential tracklist for his next body of work, WW3.
    — Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of unconventional
Adjective
  • Throw them on for a poolside lunch at a beachfront resort or dress them up with a nice blouse for a smart-casual dinner in the city.
    — Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Embed them into performance reviews, hiring criteria, onboarding, recognition programs, and even casual daily conversations.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.
    — Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Russ Scholl, a ski instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort, has published a 133-square grid of funky colloquial phrases for different types of snow.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of colloquial
Adjective
  • This therapist speaks in a very specific kind of vernacular.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • With Elordi’s star on the rise, that can only be a matter of time, even if the slangy vernacular of the wartime sections will require subtitles.
    — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of vernacular

Browse Nearby Words

inform (against)
informal
informality
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Cite this Entry

“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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