as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
use of the nonformal "Dad" would be a little jarring in a prayer to our Heavenly Father
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Recent Examples of nonformal
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, more than 272,000 children in Ukraine have benefitted from learning interventions with supplies provided by UNICEF, and over 400,000 children have engaged in formal or nonformal education.
—
Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022
But even Cunard has nonformal settings where dressed-down can go, including the buffet, casino and pub.
—Hannah Sampson, Houston Chronicle, 20 Dec. 2019
Tostan’s core is a broad nonformal education program offered to villagers in a number of African countries.
—Amy Yee, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2017
Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022
But even Cunard has nonformal settings where dressed-down can go, including the buffet, casino and pub.
—Hannah Sampson, Houston Chronicle, 20 Dec. 2019
Tostan’s core is a broad nonformal education program offered to villagers in a number of African countries.
—Amy Yee, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonformal
Adjective
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The city of big apples, hand-tossed pizzas and the colloquial adverb deadass.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
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This time around, our Traitors and Faithfuls are a beautiful assortment of Housewives, Survivors, athletes, actors, and plenty of mothers — both literal (Donna Kelce) and in the colloquial sense (Porsha Williams).—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Nearly two dozen European football association heads held informal talks in Budapest last week to discuss their participation in the World Cup.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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But they were still politically left behind, among the millions of informal squatters who lived in Manila without owning any of it.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Prime Video / Getty Images The film Sliding Doors was released in 1998, with the phrase ‘Sliding Doors moment’ now commonly used in English vernacular.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Built between 1929 and 1938, the residence reflects Plunkett’s mastery of California vernacular architecture.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonformal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonformal. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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