Basic Details
Word: Informal
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Relaxed and friendly rather than official or following strict rules; of language, the kind used in everyday talk with friends.
Synonyms: casual, relaxed, unofficial, easy-going
Antonyms: formal, official
How to Spell Informal
Syllables: in - for - mal
Tricky part: The prefix is in, not im, even though f comes next. The word ends in mal with a single l.
Watch out for: imformal, informel, informall
Memory tip: Write formal and put in in front of it. Before f we write in, never im: inform, infant, informal.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Chatting with friends, we use informal words like gonna and yeah.
Example 2: The principal held an informal meeting with parents over tea.
Example 3: Dress is informal for the picnic, so wear something comfortable.
Fun Fact
Hindi has three words for you, aap, tum and tu, running from most formal to most informal. English once had an informal thou but dropped it centuries ago.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Only one of these words can take the prefix in to form its opposite. Choose it:
in
a) mature
b) formal
c) relevant
d) literate
Show answer
b) formal. In + formal gives informal; mature takes im, literate takes il and relevant takes ir.
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to informal as used in the sentence:
The farewell party was an informal affair, with no speeches and everyone in jeans and kurtas.
a) easy-going
b) formal
c) relaxed
d) casual
Show answer
b) formal. An informal party is relaxed, so the opposite is a formal one with speeches and smart clothes.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Write an informel letter to your friend describing the festival you enjoyed most during the winter holidays this year, in about one hundred and fifty words.
a) informel
b) festival
c) describing
d) holidays
Show answer
a) informel. The last three letters are mal, just as in formal and normal.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which greeting is informal?
a) Hey, what's up?
b) Yours faithfully
c) Dear Sir
d) Respected Madam
Show answer
a) Hey, what's up?
2. Informal talks between two leaders are talks that ____.
a) must be held in a palace
b) are not official
c) go on for years
d) are shown only on TV
Show answer
b) are not official
