informal
- 01 A2 Elementary
relaxed and comfortable, rather than official or serious.
characterised by a relaxed style or manner; suited for everyday use rather than official ceremonies.
Simple“The party is informal, so you can just wear jeans and a t-shirt.”
In context“The company maintains an informal dress code to foster a more creative and approachable atmosphere among the staff.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
using everyday words that you would use with friends, not in a serious essay.
denoting a style of writing or speech characterised by common words, contractions, and a conversational tone.
Simple“In an informal email to a friend, it is okay to use slang.”
In context“While the presentation was professional, the speaker used an informal tone to build a quicker rapport with the audience.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
not following official rules or a fixed plan.
not conducted according to official regulations or structured procedures.
Simple“We had an informal meeting in the hallway to discuss the new project.”
In context“The two leaders held an informal discussion over dinner, away from the rigid protocols of the official summit.”
Synonyms
Usage informal practise
From in- + formal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.