1
as in unconventional
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules
an informal meeting allowed everyone to get acquainted
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2
as in casual
not designed to be worn only on special occasions
chose an informal flowery dress
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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
Whether managing people formally or serving as an informal mentor, leadership often includes frequent coaching, problem-solving, and ongoing support.
—
Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
As happens monthly at the Huntington, experts will give informal tours of the various plant beds contained in the garden’s Chinese medicinal garden section, answering guest questions.
—Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Participants are invited to bring their own supplies and work independently while enjoying the company, encouragement, and informal mentorship of other creatives.
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
An informal mining economy has expanded across parts of Laos in recent years, particularly in remote limestone and river basin regions where formal livelihoods are scarce and enforcement is limited.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for informal
Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
As happens monthly at the Huntington, experts will give informal tours of the various plant beds contained in the garden’s Chinese medicinal garden section, answering guest questions.
—Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Participants are invited to bring their own supplies and work independently while enjoying the company, encouragement, and informal mentorship of other creatives.
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
An informal mining economy has expanded across parts of Laos in recent years, particularly in remote limestone and river basin regions where formal livelihoods are scarce and enforcement is limited.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
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Pratt, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the race’s most unconventional and unpredictable candidates.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
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Last year, Smith acknowledged the artsy small city is an unconventional place to find world-class pizza.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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The Fairmont draws a diverse crowd—from business travelers to couples celebrating anniversaries, to casual visitors—creating a lively but laid-back atmosphere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
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Amenities include Sunset Beach with complimentary chairs and umbrellas for guests and the new Captiva Landing water playground with waterslides, a lazy river, arcade, and casual restaurant.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Its name refers to the colloquial term once used for Papaya—paw-paw.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
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The Solons name refers to an ancient Greek lawmaker, whose name later became a colloquial term for wise legislators, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Or like Dante’s Divine Comedy, which was called that because it was written in the vernacular, not Latin, and which uses the structure of the Christian voyage of the soul to navigate a mid-life crisis.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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The sound of motorbikes and cars fade as birds take over with their harmonies all around Nai Lert’s Thai vernacular style all-teak vacation home, built in 1915.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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