informal

adjective

in·​for·​mal (ˌ)in-ˈfȯr-məl 

1

: marked by the absence of formality or ceremony

an informal meeting

2

: characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary, casual, or familiar use

informal clothes

informality

(ˌ)in-(ˌ)fȯr-ˈma-lə-tē 

-fər-

noun

informally

(ˌ)in-ˈfȯr-mə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of informal

• unconventional

Examples of informal in a Sentence

We had an informal meeting over lunch.

He has an informal manner that puts people at ease.

He spoke to them in informal Spanish.

The term is common in informal contexts.

He took an informal poll among his coworkers.

Recent Examples on the Web

For a windbreak or informal hedge, consider Fairview Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Fairview’), a narrow pyramidal small tree that grows 10 to 15 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

That finding was supported by informal Slack polls and interviews with Anthropic employees, which pointed to sizable productivity gains. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 7 Nov. 2026

Based on my informal polling of friends and family, RGVers are ecstatic. — Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

At scale, managing that authority cannot remain an informal responsibility spread across architecture, engineering, data, cybersecurity and individual programs. — Lakshmanan Alagappan, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for informal

• abnormal
• conformal
• lognormal
• subnormal
• formal
• formyl
• orthonormal
• paranormal
• supernormal

Kids Definition

informal

adjective

in·​for·​mal (ˈ)in-ˈfȯr-məl 

1

: not formal

an informal party

2

: suited for ordinary or everyday use

informal clothes

informality

ˌin-(ˌ)fȯr-ˈmal-ət-ē 

-fər-

noun

informally

(ˈ)in-ˈfȯr-mə-lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

informal

adjective

in·​for·​mal

: marked by the absence of required forms or procedures or by the relaxation of prescribed rules

an informal hearing