informal

Everyday

1. Informal means relaxed and friendly, not following strict rules: «an informal party». tree →
2. Informal language is the everyday way people talk to friends and family, with words like «gonna», «kids» or «mate». tree →
3. Not official: «an informal agreement». tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, pupils learn the difference between formal and informal writing: a letter to a friend is informal, a letter to the head teacher is formal. Phrases: «informal language», «informal clothes», «informal chat».

Examples

• Write an informal letter to your best friend. tree →
• «Kids» is an informal word for children. tree →
• The party was informal, so we wore jeans. tree →
• We had an informal chat after class. tree →
• Don't use informal words in your exam essay. tree →
• The meeting was quite informal. tree →

Note

Opposite: formal. «An informal» (vowel sound). Adverb: informally. Examples of informal words: «gonna», «cos», «telly» (UK), «arvo» (Australia).