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
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Recent Examples of informal
The commonwealth has worked hard to promote the use of informal and formal diversion by police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
This informal pooling system involves a group of people who commit to saving money together.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 12 May 2025
With more than 30 years of experience in experiential education, Lindsey brings a lifelong passion for informal learning and exhibit innovation.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
Prior to the parade, Putin and Xi held two rounds of talks and an informal chat about the conflict, the BBC reported, citing Chinese media.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
This informal pooling system involves a group of people who commit to saving money together.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 12 May 2025
With more than 30 years of experience in experiential education, Lindsey brings a lifelong passion for informal learning and exhibit innovation.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
Prior to the parade, Putin and Xi held two rounds of talks and an informal chat about the conflict, the BBC reported, citing Chinese media.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
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Consider a colleague who presented unconventional ideas in meetings or pursued a less traditional career path.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Featured prominently on many critics’ best-of-year lists, the book has captivated readers around the world, sparking a cultural dialogue around female desire, aging and unconventional relationships.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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So, keep initiating the catch-ups, accepting invites for casual hangs, attending those after-work dinners and chatting with acquaintances at events.—
Seraphina Seow,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
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Honestly, for movie nights or casual gaming on a massive screen, this one’s hard to top.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, was, in the vernacular, the real deal.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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This eye-catching merger of the vernacular and the global — winding its way into the pavilion with wooden flooring, shelving and displays — will host discussions, performances and, hopefully, more impromptu gatherings.—
Sam Lubell,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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