1
as in unconventional
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules
an informal meeting allowed everyone to get acquainted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
For example, host virtual coffee breaks or team-building exercises to encourage informal employee interactions.
—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 28 May 2025
On a Tuesday 18 years ago, Thompson hosted an informal get-together to watch unedited TV broadcasts — beginning with the Kennedy assassination news breaks and later transitioning to lighter content.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 27 May 2025
Presidential clashes with archivists predate Trump President George H.W. Bush’s administration destroyed some informal notes, visitor logs and emails.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Employees who join a startup often thrive in fast-moving, informal environments, so when the company begins to scale, there’s often a fear of losing that agility.
—Lyuba Brouillard, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 28 May 2025
On a Tuesday 18 years ago, Thompson hosted an informal get-together to watch unedited TV broadcasts — beginning with the Kennedy assassination news breaks and later transitioning to lighter content.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 27 May 2025
Presidential clashes with archivists predate Trump President George H.W. Bush’s administration destroyed some informal notes, visitor logs and emails.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Employees who join a startup often thrive in fast-moving, informal environments, so when the company begins to scale, there’s often a fear of losing that agility.
—Lyuba Brouillard, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
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Consider a colleague who presented unconventional ideas in meetings or pursued a less traditional career path.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Featured prominently on many critics’ best-of-year lists, the book has captivated readers around the world, sparking a cultural dialogue around female desire, aging and unconventional relationships.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Reviewers raved about its flattering fit and versatile styling—wear the pieces together with gold accessories, or mix in basics like a white tee or denim jacket for more casual looks.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
26 May 2025
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Meetings become hyper-efficient, emails are brief, and the casual chatter that once filled in the gaps disappears.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Russ Scholl, a ski instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort, has published a 133-square grid of funky colloquial phrases for different types of snow.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, was, in the vernacular, the real deal.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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This eye-catching merger of the vernacular and the global — winding its way into the pavilion with wooden flooring, shelving and displays — will host discussions, performances and, hopefully, more impromptu gatherings.—
Sam Lubell,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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