Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In an informal manner; irregularly; without the usual forms; unceremoniously.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In an informal manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In an irregular or informal manner; without the usual forms.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb without formality
  • adverb with the use of colloquial expressions

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

informal +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • After the meeting, I met privately with Secretary of State Al Haig and told him to call our ambassador in Tokyo, Mike Mansfield, and have him pass the word informally to Japanese Foreign Minister Masa-yoshi Ito, who was scheduled to make a visit to Washington in a few days, that pressure was building in Congress for passage of a bill establishing mandatory quotas.

    An American Life Ronald Reagan 1990

  • After the meeting, I met privately with Secretary of State Al Haig and told him to call our ambassador in Tokyo, Mike Mansfield, and have him pass the word informally to Japanese Foreign Minister Masa-yoshi Ito, who was scheduled to make a visit to Washington in a few days, that pressure was building in Congress for passage of a bill establishing mandatory quotas.

    An American Life Ronald Reagan 1990

  • After the meeting, I met privately with Secretary of State Al Haig and told him to call our ambassador in Tokyo, Mike Mansfield, and have him pass the word informally to Japanese Foreign Minister Masa-yoshi Ito, who was scheduled to make a visit to Washington in a few days, that pressure was building in Congress for passage of a bill establishing mandatory quotas.

    An American Life Ronald Reagan 1990

  • After the meeting, I met privately with Secretary of State Al Haig and told him to call our ambassador in Tokyo, Mike Mansfield, and have him pass the word informally to Japanese Foreign Minister Masa-yoshi Ito, who was scheduled to make a visit to Washington in a few days, that pressure was building in Congress for passage of a bill establishing mandatory quotas.

    An American Life Ronald Reagan 1990

  • In what is referred to informally as a hereditary republic, Bashar al-Assad has continued the tradition, with his brother and brother-in-law among those holding top positions in the army and intelligence.

    Assad Family Grip on Syria Hampers Reform 2011

  • In what is referred to informally as a hereditary republic, Bashar al-Assad has continued the tradition, with his brother and brother-in-law among those holding top positions in the army and intelligence.

    Assad Family Grip on Syria Hampers Reform 2011

  • Whether they can successfully insist on everyone else using that name, formally or informally, is a matter of power relationships.

    Matthew Yglesias » The Shroud of Torino 2010

  • On March 11, 2010, House Republicans agreed to a one-year moratorium on earmarks—or, as they are referred to informally—sweetheart deals.

    Young Guns : A New Generation of Conservative Leaders Eric Cantor 2010

  • On March 11, 2010, House Republicans agreed to a one-year moratorium on earmarks—or, as they are referred to informally—sweetheart deals.

    Young Guns : A New Generation of Conservative Leaders Eric Cantor 2010

  • On March 11, 2010, House Republicans agreed to a one-year moratorium on earmarks—or, as they are referred to informally—sweetheart deals.

    Young Guns : A New Generation of Conservative Leaders Eric Cantor 2010

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