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Synonyms

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.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of informally

informal ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A group informally known as "Hulk" lizards has altered the dynamics within the species.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

Partovi said he also informally mentored Kalshi’s co-founders, who weren’t part of the scholars program, and backed the startup years before it launched its product.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Altman in early 2025 asked former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal to informally consult a team inside OpenAI working on making a social-media project similar to X, according to the Journal.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

In this alternate past, a fatal blood virus, known informally as the Red Wind, has been ravaging the population for about a decade.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The fair remained open, informally, on October 31, and many men and women came to the grounds for one last visit, as if paying their respects to a lost relative.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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