INFORMAL Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

informal

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈfȯr-məl

Definition of informal

as in unconventional

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in casual

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of informal Heron House founder Charolette Obringer said the club, designed as an inclusive space, has Chinese mahjong lessons and has reached out to local Asian groups for informal partnerships on events. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026 When Kyl returned to the halls of Congress in 2018, he was known as Kavanaugh's chief sherpa -- an informal but widely known term for a nominee's guide to the political tundra in the Senate. — Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026 When Kyl returned to the halls of Congress in 2018, he was known as Kavanaugh's chief Sherpa — an informal but widely known term for a nominee's guide to the political tundra in the Senate. — CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 When these early roles disappear, so do many informal experiences that teach judgment, influence and critical thinking essential to developing the leadership capacity that every business depends on managers to provide. — Steve Pemberton, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for informal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal

Adjective

The film, a touching adaptation of an 1852 Turgenev short story of the same name, features an unconventional cast directed by a seasoned documentarian.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026
That encounter launched an unconventional business partnership between Rovell and the NBA legend.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

Venus in your communication zone connects awkwardly with Uranus in your career sector, making a message, comment, post, or casual idea more visible than intended.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
These Pact leggings are designed for everyday wear and look great with oversized sweaters and knee-high boots, blousy tops and ballet flats, or sneakers and an oversized flannel shirt for a more casual ensemble.

— Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of casual

Adjective

The colloquial names are fun, but can be confusing, because there’s also a plant called brown-eyed Susan, which is different from the black-eyed Susan.

— Sheryl DeVore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Silent sleep apnea is a colloquial term for the form of the condition that occurs without the loud, disruptive snoring most people associate with it.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of colloquial

Adjective

On the one hand, there’s a fascination with collective joy and the forms of vernacular invention that aspire to it; on the other, there’s an underlying melancholy that points to the inevitability of isolation, an epistemology of loneliness.

— Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Undaunted, the couple embarked on a renovation, working with a local builder and an architect who understood the rustic vernacular architecture associated with Glacier National Park.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026