informally
Americanadverb
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in a casual manner, without formality.
Some folks still dress to the nines in formal gowns and tuxedos, but most people dress more informally.
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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.
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in a way that is not orchestrated or arranged.
Hallways and pedestrian bridges joining the buildings provide spaces for researchers to interact informally.
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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
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.
Work cleaning the Oceanwide Plaza skyscrapers — known informally as Graffiti Towers — will begin immediately, according to the $517-million sale agreement tentatively approved by a federal judge.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
A survey by the charity found 73% of youth workers said they informally mentor children at risk, while 65% said they de-escalate conflicts and 55% said they tackle dangerous misinformation.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Sarah Polk exercised power through proximity and trust, informally serving a role that resembled a modern-day chief of staff.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
One factor that the committee informally considers is sector balance, according to Roberts.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026
After their arrival in New York City, the “Mount-Pleasant State Prison,” informally known as Sing Sing, was their first stop.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
