informally

American  

[in-fawr-muh-lee] / ɪnˈfɔr mə li /

adverb

1. in a casual manner, without formality.

   Some folks still dress to the nines in formal gowns and tuxedos, but most people dress more informally.

2. in a way that does not involve or follow prescribed procedures or go through formal or official channels.

   Cases of minor misconduct or unsatisfactory performance are usually best dealt with informally.

3. in a way that is not orchestrated or arranged.

   Hallways and pedestrian bridges joining the buildings provide spaces for researchers to interact informally.

4. using familiar, casual, or ordinary speech or writing.

   We use different registers, speaking more informally with family and friends out of the classroom than when discussing academics within the classroom.

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-informally adverb
• superinformally adverb

Etymology

Origin of informally

informal ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Axel Springer has informally looked at buying TechCrunch, the technology news site acquired by private equity company Regent, and daily newsletter 1440, people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tech scion and Paramount Chairman David Ellison informally kicked off the bidding in September, making three offers by mid-October.

From Los Angeles Times

Those applicants weren’t screened as strictly as usual because they were likely to be existing customers and would be informally vetted by branch staff, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even many rank-and-file workers had to informally negotiate, coordinate and problem-solve with others, reminding us that workers don’t get their work done just by themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal

He wrote introductions and appreciations, edited anthologies and reissues, taught in writing programs, recommended candidates for artist residencies, advised the Guggenheim Foundation on fellowship recipients and informally brokered the advancement of innumerable authors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• commonly
• consistently
• easily
• generally
• instinctively
• normally
• simply
• spontaneously
• typically
• uniformly
• usually