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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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of informal
No matter the form this takes — questionnaires from the hospital itself, informal discussions at your new clinic, whatever — include some negative examples about the facility’s customer service from your days at the old practice.
—
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Writers themselves, an informal survey indicates, are not really using AI as a shortcut, save for occasional compressions.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
His friends picked up the hobby with him, playing informal tournaments during the offseasons.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
Within the outcome document, the drafters champion several strategies to expand domestic tax bases, such as integrating the informal sector into the formal economy and identifying undeclared income and wealth.
—Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025
Writers themselves, an informal survey indicates, are not really using AI as a shortcut, save for occasional compressions.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025
His friends picked up the hobby with him, playing informal tournaments during the offseasons.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
Within the outcome document, the drafters champion several strategies to expand domestic tax bases, such as integrating the informal sector into the formal economy and identifying undeclared income and wealth.
—Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for informal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for informal
Adjective
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President Donald Trump has long flexed the power of the White House to insert himself into unconventional areas ‒ from the type of sugar in Coca-Cola to renaming the Gulf of Mexico.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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Often unconventional, like their Vantablack dials, Moser brings something fresh to the Canadian market, and its new POP collection amplifies this creative edge even further.—
Matthew Catellier,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Guests can choose from a variety of pastries and breakfast foods, coffee and more to keep things casual, or order from their selection of cocktails and wine.—
Ramal Nasim
July 25,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
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Popups and its popular Sunday Suppers offer another avenue for more casual dining.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Proposition 12 is the colloquial term for the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative.—
Alan Wooten,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2025
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The strawberry moon is the colloquial name for June's full moon, a term originating from Native American tribes who marked the time when wild strawberries reached peak ripeness.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead, the architecture of the city was part of my vernacular.—
Caitlin Woolsey,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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The undeniable stars are the curvaceous treehouses inspired by the endangered pangolins—the unusual, organic shape sets it apart from the typical tropical villa vernacular.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/informal. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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