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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
The city of big apples, hand-tossed pizzas and the colloquial adverb deadass.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
The massive spread includes several formal and informal gathering spaces, with the gleaming chef’s kitchen serving as the heart of the home.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2026
-
National Snack Day was established in 2016 by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, who has invented more than two-dozen informal holidays, Days of the Year said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That was the beginning of it and the Coens have a deep knowledge of American vernacular music.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Viral videos are among the contemporary references—along with stripper vernacular, self-driving cars, and Juicy Couture—in Age of Content, a 2023 work by the collective (La)Horde, which comprises the artists Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, and Arthur Harel.—
Laura Regensdorf,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonformal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonformal. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
