informal

informal

adjective

Definition of INFORMAL

1

not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules <an informal meeting allowed everyone to get acquainted>

Synonyms heterodox, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox

Related Words unauthorized, unofficial; casual, easygoing, familiar, free and easy, lax, loose, offhand, relaxed, ultracasual

Near Antonyms correct, decorous, proper; constrained, inhibited, restrained, rigid, stiff, stuffy, uptight

Antonyms ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, formal, orthodox, regular, routine

2

not designed to be worn only on special occasions <chose an informal flowery dress>

Synonyms everyday, informal, workaday

Related Words dégagé, relaxed, sporty; dressed down; shabby, sloppy, slovenly, unkempt

Near Antonyms best, Sunday; dressed up; chic, elegant, fashionable, smart, stylish; neat, tidy, trim; semiformal

Antonyms dressy, formal, noncasual

3

used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing <the use of informal language in a scholarly article is really inappropriate>

Synonyms conversational, informal, nonformal, nonliterary, unbookish, unliterary, vernacular, vulgar

Related Words dialectal, dialectical (also dialectic), nonstandard, regional; incorrect, nongrammatical, substandard, uneducated, ungrammatical, unlearned; slang, slangy

Near Antonyms standard, undialectical; correct, educated, genteel, grammatical, proper

Antonyms bookish, formal, learned, literary