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
Some informal loans can carry interest rates as high as 20 percent.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
While fake goods have exchanged hands in informal markets since ancient times, the growth of online marketplaces has contributed to the rise in counterfeits because of how easy online shopping and selling have become.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
What began as informal sessions quickly gained traction, eventually evolving into formal programs that continue to grow today.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2023, Francis moved to allow informal, non-liturgical blessings of same-sex couples by a priest.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
While fake goods have exchanged hands in informal markets since ancient times, the growth of online marketplaces has contributed to the rise in counterfeits because of how easy online shopping and selling have become.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
What began as informal sessions quickly gained traction, eventually evolving into formal programs that continue to grow today.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2023, Francis moved to allow informal, non-liturgical blessings of same-sex couples by a priest.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
-
Lopez appeared to have hit his stride—the gown epitomized the unconventional opulence of his design language.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Conventional ideas of leisure are sins; the unconventional is redemptive.—
Nicole Flattery,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Team it with ballet flats or sneakers for a casual day of apple-picking or tailgating this fall, or dress it up with tights and boots for holiday celebrations and other special occasions.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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The teal stood out in the parade of super-casual fits.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But unlike the evolution of colloquial language, which is largely arbitrary, the evolution of scientific terms must reflect our current understanding of reality.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
-
In a market where there is a colloquial term for consumers who want their spirits bottled at the highest strength possible (proof hounds), this low-strength whiskey is a bold move.—
Chris Perugini,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For such an insistence on democracy, the pavilion is curiously tepid in its politics, save for a kind of vernacular populism and some PBS-esque nods to the Gee’s Bend quilters.—
Kate Wagner,
Curbed,
5 Sep. 2025
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Once again, his use of vernacular and social media address appeared to be mocking the President’s own style.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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