informally

[in-fawr-muh-lee]

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

• quasi-informally adverb
• superinformally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of informally¹

informal ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Many pesantren operate informally, without strong regulation or consistent monitoring.

From BBC

Nothing exercised them more than the idea that “hate speech” could be sanctioned either informally or by the government.

From Salon

Immigration officers could informally pass on a plate number to a deputy with access to the system.

From Los Angeles Times

Miran called the independence of the central bank "paramount" and said he had not been asked by anyone at the White House to commit "formally or informally" to lowering interest rates.

From BBC

She adds that as the months went on, "around 30 people" from eight churches approached her to informally complain about Venessa's behaviour.

From BBC

Related Words

• commonly 
• consistently 
• easily 
• generally 
• instinctively 
• normally 
• simply 
• spontaneously 
• typically 
• uniformly www.thesaurus.com
• usually