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informal Definition

in·for·mal (in fôr′məl)

adjective

not formal; specif.,: the label [Informal] is used throughout this dictionary in this sense

  1. not according to prescribed or fixed customs, rules, ceremonies, etc.
  2. casual, easy, unceremonious, or relaxed
  3. designed for use or wear on everyday occasions
  4. not requiring formal dress
  5. designating or of the words, phrases, and idioms characteristic of speech or writing that is casual, ordinary, unceremonious, etc.; colloquial

informal Related Forms
in·for′·mally adverb
informal Synonyms

informal

modif.

  1. Without formality

    casual, natural, relaxed, intimate, unceremonious, unstudied, frank, open, straightforward, free, extempore, spontaneous, congenial, easygoing, easy, unconstrained, unrestrained, unconventional, without ceremony, simple, unpretentious, homey; see also colloquial, friendly 1.

    Antonyms restrained*, ceremonial, ritualistic.

  2. Not requiring formal dress

    casual, ordinary, everyday, unofficial, habitual, motley, mixed, democratic, shirt-sleeve, sporty*; see also common 1.

    Antonyms formal, dressy, exclusive.

informal Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • in-house: Set up in-house training Informal in-house training Learning for most employees comes from informal on-the-job training.

Modifies a noun

  • discussion: There will be an informal discussion at 4.30pm, which will be followed by the AGM at 5.00pm.
  • inquiry: The LEA is allowed to make informal enquiries to satisfy themselves.
  • atmosphere: The courses are run in a friendly informal atmosphere by experienced radio amateurs.
  • recreation: To improve public access to the countryside for informal outdoor recreation.
  • gathering: Reflect a more informal family gathering in your floral decorations.
  • chat: There will also be an opportunity for an informal chat with Alan over refreshments!

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Toward the end of the evening activities became more informal with games of darts, billiards or table tennis.
  • do: Read more... Insight Reports Does informal learning matter?
  • keep: Its kept very informal, and light refreshments are provided free of charge.
  • create: William Robinson banished bedding systems, and turned to planting with native species and hardy exotics, creating informal, wild and woodland gardens.

Noun used with modifier

  • training: Set up in-house training Informal in-house training Learning for most employees comes from informal on-the-job training.

Modifying Another Word

  • relatively: Full course notes and reading lists are provided in addition to lectures, which are relatively informal with class participation.
  • fairly: Your dentist will look in your child's mouth in a fairly informal way.
  • deliberately: The groups do not have a membership and are deliberately informal, driven by those who attend, rather than the project workers.
  • largely: It is a largely informal account and certainly not the account of an expert in the area.
  • very: Very informal - sometimes riotous - pub quiz every Thursday night from about nine.
  • essentially: An essentially informal garden against a background of deciduous woodland with an apron of lawn.

Preposition: in

  • nature: The hearing, which is informal in nature, will normally be held at the office of the Employment Tribunals Service nearest to you.
  • character: The lectures are intended to be fairly informal in character so that discussion and debate may be accommodated within the lecture framework.