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# informally

adverb (informally)

«informally» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. In a relaxed, friendly, everyday way, not following strict rules or formal manners. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#m1)
2. Unofficially; not as part of an official process: they agreed informally. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#m2)
3. (language) Using casual words, slang or chatty style rather than formal language. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#m3)

### In the lessons

In English lessons, pupils learn when to write formally (letters to the council, reports) and informally (messages to friends, diaries); register matters. In everyday life, «dress informally» means casual clothes; «known informally as» gives a nickname. Phrases: speak informally, dress informally, known informally as, informally agreed.

### Examples

- You can write informally in a text to your friend. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#x1)
- We dressed informally for the class picnic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#x2)
- The Houses of Parliament clock is informally known as Big Ben. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#x3)
- The teachers met informally in the staff room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#x4)
- «Gonna» is how people say «going to» informally. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#x5)
- They informally agreed to swap stickers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/#x6)

### Note

Adjective «informal»; opposite «formally». Informal does not mean wrong: «can't», «kids», «gonna» are fine in chat but usually not in exam writing. A big skill is matching your language to the situation.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «informally» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/informally/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«informally» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/informally.html) on Mova free.