1
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
2
as in casual
not designed to be worn only on special occasions
chose an informal flowery dress
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Breakfasts and informal suppers unfold in the Brasserie, which has an orangery, and a terrace for sunny mornings.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
According to Glamour’s informal poll, many readers experience anxiety about both their inclusion and exclusion from certain group chats.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026
In the past, humanitarian programs operating in such areas have acted as informal disease surveillance networks.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 18 May 2026
The size and growth habit depend on the species, some bottlebrushes are dense and compact, lending themselves to be grown as informal hedges, whereas others are sparse and open and can be pruned into a small tree.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for informal
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
According to Glamour’s informal poll, many readers experience anxiety about both their inclusion and exclusion from certain group chats.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026
In the past, humanitarian programs operating in such areas have acted as informal disease surveillance networks.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 18 May 2026
The size and growth habit depend on the species, some bottlebrushes are dense and compact, lending themselves to be grown as informal hedges, whereas others are sparse and open and can be pruned into a small tree.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
-
Not wanting to formally plan anything for his proposal, Foley decided to take an unconventional route.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
While some of the fall 2026 shoes were wardrobe classics, like a pair of black penny loafers and Lively’s pointed-toe pumps, others styles were more unconventional featuring striking shape, feather details, animal prints and more.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Now even casual drinkers seem to be on a journey of sorts—if not toward sobriety, then toward some kind of self-knowledge.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and does not spread through casual contact or air.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Spaar’s colloquial flippancies only reinforces her fervency.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
The women’s game’s limited coverage meant his other honours with Umea — reaching two more UEFA Cup finals and five domestic trophies — were appreciated on a more colloquial level.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
