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
Lunch is often an informal affair—poke bowls from Da Poke Bowl Shack, tacos from El Jefe, or something quick from Knosh or Takeaway 242 between pool and beach.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
When Florian said a survey could be costly, Felix suggested an informal online study or soliciting comments through social media.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Lykke Leonardsen, who runs Copenhagen’s Resilient and Sustainable City Solutions program and serves as the city’s informal water ambassador, told me that the intent was to hold hearings, win approval in August, and invest gradually.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
The six-bedroom residence measures about 8,500 square feet with both formal reception rooms and informal living spaces.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for informal
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
When Florian said a survey could be costly, Felix suggested an informal online study or soliciting comments through social media.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Lykke Leonardsen, who runs Copenhagen’s Resilient and Sustainable City Solutions program and serves as the city’s informal water ambassador, told me that the intent was to hold hearings, win approval in August, and invest gradually.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
The six-bedroom residence measures about 8,500 square feet with both formal reception rooms and informal living spaces.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
-
The situation was finally resolved when a wildlife response team used an unconventional method, crawling under the house and firing paintballs filled with vegetable oil to drive the bear out.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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This unconventional but sweet design was the perfect reference to Margaret’s free spirit.—
Jessica Gibbs,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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HaLani is a casual open air spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner right by the pools.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The kitchen is outfitted with top-tier appliances, dual islands, and a casual dining area, while a sumptuous primary retreat comes with dual baths, a beauty salon, and an ultra-luxe closet.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cicada’s disappearing routine Scientists who hunt for unusual Covid-19 variants waited to give this one a colloquial, or common, name.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
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Literary works in colloquial Korean gained popularity, and new forms of cultural expression circulated widely.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The final tour on May 30 will be Avon and Simsbury including architectural themes of vernacular farmhouses, Georgian and Federal homes and the classic saltbox home.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
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Translated into many vernacular languages, the poetry and philosophy of Firdausi, Attar, Rumi, Hafez, Sa‘di, Nizami, Ibn Sina, and Nizam al-Mulk assumed a canonical authority across Asia.—
Pankaj Mishra,
The New York Review of Books,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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