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
The 10-to-15-second video clips are a nonformal way to engage your customers and tell them about your products.
—Michael Plummer, Forbes, 3 June 2022
And as the number of dining options on ships has expanded, so have nonformal venues beyond the main dining rooms.
—Hannah Sampson, Houston Chronicle, 20 Dec. 2019
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
The 10-to-15-second video clips are a nonformal way to engage your customers and tell them about your products.
—Michael Plummer, Forbes, 3 June 2022
And as the number of dining options on ships has expanded, so have nonformal venues beyond the main dining rooms.
—Hannah Sampson, Houston Chronicle, 20 Dec. 2019
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
-
But the colloquial use of the term has prompted criticism from some.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
20 July 2025
-
Proposition 12 is the colloquial term for the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative.—
Alan Wooten,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
For years, stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to a fiat currency, operated in a patchwork of state laws, informal guidance, and regulation by enforcement.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Valencia had been killed in 2009, before Ricky Pike and his parents had thrown themselves into organizing aid for other families of homicide victims in an informal network of logistical help, money for flowers or transportation and other support.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The musical tastes and vernacular of Abbie and Leila also come from that era of Martin's life.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
-
There are terms of affection for groups of players like the Busby Babes or Fergie’s Fledglings, but these were coined and used by journalists and not used in everyday vernacular.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonformal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonformal. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share