(informal)
|in-for-mal|
🇺🇸
/ɪnˈfɔrməl/
🇬🇧
/ɪnˈfɔː(r)məl/
(informal)
not formal
Etymology
'informal' originates from the English combination of the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not') and the adjective 'formal', which ultimately comes from Latin 'formalis' meaning 'pertaining to form'.
'formal' comes from Latin 'formalis' (via Old French 'formel' and Middle English), and the negative prefix 'in-' was attached in English to form 'informal'.
Initially built simply as a negative of 'formal' ('not formal'), it has retained that core sense but has also taken on nuances of 'casual', 'relaxed', or 'colloquial' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not formal; casual or relaxed in manner, style, or appearance.
They had an informal meeting in the office kitchen.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
used (often in parentheses) to mark a word or expression as used in casual or everyday speech rather than in formal writing or speech.
The dictionary marks 'gonna' as (informal).
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/05 01:49