informal

adjective

in·​for·​mal (ˌ)in-ˈfȯr-məl How to pronounce informal (audio)
1
: marked by the absence of formality or ceremony
an informal meeting
2
: characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary, casual, or familiar use
informal clothes
informality noun
informally adverb

Examples of informal in a Sentence

We had an informal meeting over lunch. He has an informal manner that puts people at ease. He spoke to them in informal Spanish. The term is common in informal contexts. He took an informal poll among his coworkers.
Recent Examples on the Web Tata is the informal word for grandma in Lebanese Arabic. Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 City officials provide the conferences as an informal, private forum for developers to get preliminary feedback on conceptual plans that may or may not result in a formal application for building permits and other approvals needed for a project to be built. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 With employees physically dispersed across the U.S. and abroad, spontaneous, serendipitous interactions, team building, birthday celebrations and informal social gatherings have faded away. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Town staff sent the revisions from the council’s Feb. 6 meeting to state officials for informal feedback, but only received the feedback a few hours before the Feb. 20 meeting began. Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 TikTok has served as an informal support group, with the hashtag #wildernesstherapy garnering millions of views. Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Lee’s operation is informal and faith-based, with a mission to bring attention to spots that could use lifts in marketing. The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024 Developers take advantage of the makeup of such informal arrangements, in which all the heirs have equal stakes in and ownership of their families’ land. Patrice Gaines, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024 About 100 drivers participated in the first protest; now, the informal San Diego group has grown to some 600 members, Arias said. Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'informal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of informal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near informal

Cite this Entry

“Informal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

informal

adjective
in·​for·​mal (ˈ)in-ˈfȯr-məl How to pronounce informal (audio)
1
: not formal
an informal party
2
: suited for ordinary or everyday use
informal clothes
informality noun
informally adverb

Legal Definition

informal

adjective
in·​for·​mal
: marked by the absence of required forms or procedures or by the relaxation of prescribed rules
an informal hearing

More from Merriam-Webster on informal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!