Formal and informal word in english

It is extremely important to know when to use either formal or informal language. This will depend on the business you are working in, the industry you are in, the people you are speaking with, and the topic you are talking about. Learning the formal and informal way to speak is also a great way to master and learn the language.

Both formal and informal languages serve different individual purposes. The two styles vary depending on the tone you use, the words you choose to use, and the way you construct the words together. Using formal language is less personal than using informal language. Always remember that the type of language you decide to use in writing or speaking will solely depend on your purpose and the audience you are speaking to. Here are some tips you must remember to help you know when to use either formal or informal language.

Formal Language

As mentioned above, formal language is less personal than informal language. This is commonly used when writing or speaking for professional or academic purposes like emails for business, formal letters, academic write-ups, professional academic circumstances, presentations, reports, official and or legal documents, job interviews, and any scenario where formal language is appropriate. Since it is less personal, this can be used when you are communicating with a person you do not personally know well, like public speeches and tenders.

Note that very formal English in everyday situations may sound pompous at times, so always consider the context and the audience you are targeting. In situations that are more serious like job interviews or emailing your university professor, using formal language is highly encouraged. This can help you avoid sounding disrespectful and inappropriate and help you sound polite and professional instead. Remember that formal language has a more complex grammar where the sentences are generally phrased longer and use modal verbs. In pronunciation, speech is slower when using formal language and the tone should be serious.

Informal Language

Informal language is more casual and laid back. This is commonly used with people you know well as your family and friends. You usually use this when you are in a relaxed environment. When your agenda is to share your personal thoughts or you are telling a story, you should use language that is appropriate to the scenario. Informal language has a more conversational tone, frequently using personal pronouns, informal expressions, sentences are shorter, and the feelings are more personal.

This type of language is best suited to use when telling a story, personal narrations, and social forms like blogs and personal emails. This can also be used in advertising, spontaneous speeches, networking, or socializing with your clients, meetings with your teams, text messages, and everyday conversations with your family and friends you know well. Contractions are used in informal languages to ease the flow and make the speech faster. Abbreviations and acronyms are also used to shorten the words. Colloquial language is also used to allow the casual flow of conversation. You can even insert an emoji here and there when using informal language!

Examples of Differences between Formal and Informal Language

Here are some examples of formal and informal languages used below in terms of:

Contractions

Informal: It won’t turn on.

Formal: The device will not turn on.

Phrasal Verbs

Informal: I don’t want to drop out of school.

Formal: I have no intention of leaving the school.

Slang

Informal: Imma go hit him up.

Formal: I am going to contact him.

Collocations

Informal: My business is going bankrupt.

Formal: My business has now officially ceased to trade.

Acronyms

Informal: I will send the files asap.

Formal: I will send the files as soon as I can.

First-Person Pronouns

Informal: I think my study is very useful.

Formal: The researcher is certain that the research conducted serves a lot of purposes.

Formal language is commonly used when writing. Informal language is usually used when speaking. However, this is always not the case. Always refer to the situation you are in upon deciding when to use either formal or informal language. If you are ever uncertain about whether what type of language you should use in a conversation, especially when speaking to someone older than you are or in a work environment, pay close attention to how they talk to you and try to follow their lead. However, when you are emailing someone you do not know, it is best to use formal language to be respectful and polite to the person you are emailing to.

Formal vs. Informal Words/Phrases

Learn an extensive list of 400+ formal vs. informal words and phrases in English.

Ask >>——-<< Enquire

Ask for >>——-<< Request

Book >>——-<< Reserve

Check >>——-<< Verify

Get >>——-<< Receive

Help >>——-<< Assist

Need >>——-<< Request

Say sorry >>——-<< Apologise

Start/ Begin >>——-<< Commence

End >>——-<< Terminate/ Finish

Try >>——-<< Endeavour

Deal with >>——-<< Handle

Tell >>——-<< Inform

Wait for >>——-<< Await

Fight >>——-<< Combat

Use/Eat >>——-<< Consume

Go >>——-<< Depart

Tough >>——-<< Difficult

Small >>——-<< Diminutive

Explain >>——-<< Disclose

Set out >>——-<< Display

Throw out >>——-<< Eject

Old >>——-<< Elderly

Say >>——-<< Express

Afraid >>——-<< Fearful

In the end >>——-<< Finally

Lucky >>——-<< Fortunate

But >>——-<< However

Wrong >>——-<< Incorrect

Go up >>——-<< Increase

Cheap >>——-<< Inexpensive

At first >>——-<< Initially

Mad >>——-<< Insane

Formal Words vs. Informal Words in English | Image 1

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Bright/smart >>——-<< Intelligent

Big/Large >>——-<< Enormous

Right >>——-<< Correct

A bit >>——-<< A little

Away >>——-<< Absent

Speed up >>——-<< Accelerate

Okay, ok >>——-<< Acceptable

Help >>——-<< Aid/ Assist

Let >>——-<< Allow

Call off >>——-<< Cancel

Friendly >>——-<< Amiable

Expect >>——-<< Anticipate

Seem >>——-<< Appear

Climb >>——-<< Ascend

Beat up >>——-<< Assault

Fall out >>——-<< Quarrel

Eager >>——-<< Avid

Stop >>——-<< Cease

Dare >>——-<< Challenge

Kids >>——-<< Children

Settle for >>——-<< Choose

Round >>——-<< Circular

Pick up >>——-<< Collect

Think of >>——-<< Conceive

Link up >>——-<< Connect

Think about >>——-<< Consider

Build >>——-<< Construct

Refer to >>——-<< Consult

Hurt >>——-<< Damage, harm

Go down >>——-<< Decrease

Want/ hope  >>——-<< Desire

Lack  >>——-<< Deficiency

Show >>——-<< Demonstrate

Brave >>——-<< Courageous

Pin down >>——-<< Determine

Put/ set down >>——-<< Deposit

Throw away >>——-<< Discard

Make out >>——-<< Discern

Talk about >>——-<< Discuss/consider

Give out >>——-<< Distribute

Give >>——-<< Donate

Remove >>——-<< Eliminate

Imagine >>——-<< Envisage

Break out >>——-<< Erupt

Get out >>——-<< Escape

Avoid >>——-<< Evade

Go through >>——-<< Examine

Make up >>——-<< Fabricate

Test >>——-<< Experiment

Ease >>——-<< Facilitate

Come after >>——-<< Follow

Sick >>——-<< Ill

Ask out >>——-<< Invite

Go away >>——-<< Leave/ depart

At once >>——-<< Immediately

Free >>——-<< Liberate

Deal with >>——-<< Manage

Bad >>——-<< Negative

Look into >>——-<< Investigate

Chance >>——-<< Opportunity

See >>——-<< Perceive

Happy >>——-<< Pleased

Give up >>——-<< Quit

Older >>——-<< Senior

Use >>——-<< Utilize

Enough >>——-<< Sufficient

End >>——-<< Terminate

Empty >>——-<< Vacant

Rich >>——-<< Wealthy

Mend >>——-<< Repair

Idea >>——-<< Notion

Mainly >>——-<< Principally

See >>——-<< Observe

Leave out >>——-<< Omit

Go against >>——-<< Oppose

Formal Words vs. Informal Words in English | Image 2

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Hungry >>——-<< Famished

Childish >>——-<< Immature

Maybe >>——-<< Perhaps

Good >>——-<< Positive

Give >>——-<< Provide

Buy >>——-<< Purchase

Say no >>——-<< Reject

Free >>——-<< Release

Look for >>——-<< Seek

Choose >>——-<< Select

Get by >>——-<< Survive

So >>——-<< Therefore

Put up with >>——-<< Tolerate

Block >>——-<< Undermine

Catch up >>——-<< Understand

Sight >>——-<< Vision

Young >>——-<< Youthful

Get >>——-<< Obtain

Need >>——-<< Require

Pay back >>——-<< Repay

Live >>——-<< Reside

Point out >>——-<< Indicate

Find out >>——-<< Learn/Discover

Get away >>——-<< Elude

Come in >>——-<< Enter

Lively >>——-<< Energetic

Clear >>——-<< Transparent

Whole >>——-<< Entire/Complete

Blow up >>——-<< Explode

Break down >>——-<< Fail/Collapse

Hopeless >>——-<< Futile

Hit out at >>——-<< Criticise

Tired >>——-<< Exhausted/ Fatigued

Clothes >>——-<< Garment

Go before >>——-<< Precede

Thanks >>——-<< Gratitude

Hurry >>——-<< Haste, hasten

Funny >>——-<< Humorous, amusing

Better >>——-<< Improved

Dim >>——-<< Indistinct

Worse >>——-<< Inferior

Put in >>——-<< Insert

Bring in >>——-<< Introduce

Make up >>——-<< Invent

Kidding >>——-<< Jesting

Naked >>——-<< Nude

Childish >>——-<< Infantile

A lot of >>——-<< Numerous

Stubborn >>——-<< Obstinate

Danger >>——-<< Peril

Put off >>——-<< Postpone

Here >>——-<< Present

Keep >>——-<< Preserve

Go ahead >>——-<< Proceed

Go after >>——-<< Pursue

Anyways >>——-<< Nevertheless

Let >>——-<< Permit

Sweat >>——-<< Perspiration

Look at >>——-<< Regard

Laid back >>——-<< Relaxed

Take out >>——-<< Remove

Rack up >>——-<< Accumulate

Over >>——-<< At an end

Good looking >>——-<< Attractive

Good for >>——-<< Beneficial

By >>——-<< By means of

Lead to >>——-<< Cause

Complex >>——-<< Convoluted

Go out of >>——-<< Exit

Death >>——-<< Demise

Break off >>——-<< Suspend/adjourn

Also >>——-<< In addition, additionally

Wood >>——-<< Timber

Describe >>——-<< Depict

Go on >>——-<< Continue

In charge of >>——-<< Responsible

Enjoyment >>——-<< Gratification

Dirty/ polluted >>——-<< Contaminated

Again & again >>——-<< Repeatedly

Marvelous >>——-<< Exceptional

Really big >>——-<< Considerable

Can >>——-<< Is capable of

Fork out  >>——-<< Pay (money)

Talk into >>——-<< Persuade

Come up to >>——-<< Reach/attain

Iron out >>——-<< Solve/overcome (a problem/difficulty)

Next/later >>——-<< Subsequently

Try out >>——-<< Test

Call on >>——-<< Visit

Drop out of >>——-<< Withdraw (from)

Look up to >>——-<< Respect

Look like >>——-<< Resemble

Job >>——-<< Occupation

Dad >>——-<< Father

Boss >>——-<< Employer

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Formal vs. Informal Words Video

Last Updated on September 27, 2022

Formal and Informal words list in English Pdf!

What are formal and informal Words?

Formal Language is like formal dress, in the formal language you have to be careful with words, and you have to choose words with respect. You cannot use the word ‘Ask’ in formal language because it is an informal word. You have to be a bit polite in formal language and vocabulary words, rather you can use ‘Inquire’ which is more formal than ‘ask’.

Informal Language is the language you speak with your friend’s circle. It is used in conversation with your family and friends, informal words are also respectful words, but they are less polite as compared to formal words.

Related: List of Formal Words in English

Formal and Informal words list in English

Here is the list of common 1000 Formal and Informal Words:

Informal  –>  Formal

• Ask  –>  Enquire
• Ask for  –>  Request
• Book  –>  Reserve
• Check  –>  Verify
• Get  –>  Receive
• Help  –>  Assist
• Need  –>  Request
• Say sorry  –>  Apologies
• Start/ Begin  –>  Commence
• End  –>  Terminate/ Finish
• Try  –>  Endeavour
• Deal with  –>  Handle
• Tell  –>  Inform
• Wait for  –>  Await
• Fight  –>  Combat
• Use/Eat  –>  Consume
• Go  –>  Depart
• Tough  –>  Difficult
• Small  –>  Diminutive
• Explain  –>  Disclose
• Set out  –>  Display
• Throw out  –>  Eject
• Old  –>  Elderly
• Say  –>  Express
• Afraid  –>  Fearful
• In the end  –>  Finally
• Lucky  –>  Fortunate
• But  –>  However
• Wrong  –>  Incorrect
• Go up  –>  Increase
• Cheap  –>  Inexpensive
• At first  –>  Initially
• Mad  –>  Insane
• Bright/smart  –>  Intelligent
• Big/Large  –>  Enormous
• Right  –>  Correct
• A bit  –>  A little
• Away  –>  Absent
• Speed up  –>  Accelerate
• Okay, ok  –>  Acceptable
• Help  –>  Aid/ Assist
• Let  –>  Allow
• Call off  –>  Cancel
• Friendly  –>  Amiable

Formal Informal Words Image 1

• Expect  –>  Anticipate
• Seem  –>  Appear
• Climb  –>  Ascend
• Beat up  –>  Assault
• Fall out  –>  Quarrel
• Eager  –>  Avid
• Stop  –>  Cease
• Dare  –>  Challenge
• Kids  –>  Children
• Settle for  –>  Choose
• Round  –>  Circular
• Pick up  –>  Collect
• Think of  –>  Conceive
• Link up  –>  Connect
• Think about  –>  Consider
• Build  –>  Construct
• Refer to  –>  Consult
• Hurt  –>  Damage, harm
• Go down  –>  Decrease
• Want/ hope   –>  Desire
• Lack   –>  Deficiency
• Show  –>  Demonstrate
• Brave  –>  Courageous
• Pin down  –>  Determine
• Put/ set down  –>  Deposit
• Throw away  –>  Discard
• Make out  –>  Discern
• Talk about  –>  Discuss/consider
• Give out  –>  Distribute
• Give  –>  Donate
• Remove  –>  Eliminate
• Imagine  –>  Envisage
• Break out  –>  Erupt
• Get out  –>  Escape
• Avoid  –>  Evade
• Go through  –>  Examine
• Make up  –>  Fabricate
• Test  –>  Experiment
• Ease  –>  Facilitate
• Come after  –>  Follow
• Sick  –>  Ill
• Ask out  –>  Invite
• Go away  –>  Leave/ depart
• At once  –>  Immediately
• Free  –>  Liberate
• Deal with  –>  Manage
• Bad  –>  Negative
• Look into  –>  Investigate
• Chance  –>  Opportunity
• See  –>  Perceive
• Happy  –>  Pleased
• Give up  –>  Quit
• Older  –>  Senior
• Use  –>  Utilize
• Enough  –>  Sufficient
• End  –>  Terminate
• Empty  –>  Vacant
• Rich  –>  Wealthy
• Mend  –>  Repair
• Idea  –>  Notion

Formal Informal Words Image 2

• Mainly  –>  Principally
• See  –>  Observe
• Leave out  –>  Omit
• Go against  –>  Oppose
• Hungry  –>  Famished
• Childish  –>  Immature
• Maybe  –>  Perhaps
• Good  –>  Positive
• Give  –>  Provide
• Buy  –>  Purchase
• Say no  –>  Reject
• Free  –>  Release
• Look for  –>  Seek
• Choose  –>  Select
• Get by  –>  Survive
• So  –>  Therefore
• Put up with  –>  Tolerate
• Block  –>  Undermine
• Catch up  –>  Understand
• Sight  –>  Vision
• Young  –>  Youthful
• Get  –>  Obtain
• Need  –>  Require
• Pay back  –>  Repay
• Live  –>  Reside
• Point out  –>  Indicate
• Find out  –>  Learn/Discover
• Get away  –>  Elude
• Come in  –>  Enter
• Lively  –>  Energetic
• Clear  –>  Transparent
• Whole  –>  Entire/Complete
• Blow up  –>  Explode
• Break down  –>  Fail/Collapse
• Hopeless  –>  Futile
• Hit out at  –>  Criticise
• Tired  –>  Exhausted/ Fatigued
• Clothes  –>  Garment
• Go before  –>  Precede
• Thanks  –>  Gratitude
• Hurry  –>  Haste, hasten
• Funny  –>  Humorous, amusing
• Better –> Improved
• Dim  –>  Indistinct
• Worse  –>  Inferior
• Put in  –>  Insert
• Bring in  –>  Introduce
• Make up  –>  Invent
• Kidding  –>  Jesting
• Naked  –>  Nude
• Childish  –>  Infantile
• A lot of  –>  Numerous
• Stubborn  –>  Obstinate
• Danger  –>  Peril
• Put off  –>  Postpone
• Here  –>  Present
• Keep  –>  Preserve
• Go ahead  –>  Proceed
• Go after  –>  Pursue
• Anyways  –>  Nevertheless
• Let  –>  Permit
• Sweat  –>  Perspiration
• Look at  –>  Regard
• Laid back  –>  Relaxed
• Take out  –>  Remove
• Rack up  –>  Accumulate
• Over  –>  At an end

Informal Formal Words Image 3

• Good looking  –>  Attractive
• Good for  –>  Beneficial
• By  –>  By means of
• Lead to  –>  Cause
• Complex  –>  Convoluted
• Go out of  –>  Exit
• Death  –>  Demise
• Break off  –>  Suspend/adjourn
• Also  –>  In addition, additionally
• Wood  –>  Timber
• Describe  –>  Depict
• Go on  –>  Continue
• In charge of  –>  Responsible
• Enjoyment  –>  Gratification
• Dirty/ polluted  –>  Contaminated
• Again & again  –>  Repeatedly
• Marvelous  –>  Exceptional
• Really big  –>  Considerable
• Can  –>  Is capable of
• Fork out   –>  Pay (money)
• Talk into  –>  Persuade
• Come up to  –>  Reach/attain
• Iron out  –>  Solve/overcome
• Next/later  –>  Subsequently
• Try out  –>  Test
• Call on  –>  Visit
• Drop out of  –>  Withdraw (from)
• Look up to  –>  Respect
• Look like  –>  Resemble
• Job  –>  Occupation
• Dad  –>  Father
• Boss  –>  Employer
• Avoid –> Evade
• Also In  –> Addition,
• Ask –> Enquire
• Afraid –>  Fearful
• At First –>  Initially
• Ask For –>  Request
• Again & Again   –> Repeatedly
• A Bit  –> A Little
• Avoid –>  Evade
• Anyway  –> Nevertheless
• Ask Out –> Invite
• Away  –> Absent
• At Once  –> Immediately
• A Lot Of  –> Numerous

Informal Formal Vocabulary Image 4

• Bright/smart –>  Intelligent
• Buy  –> Purchase
• Build  –> Construct
• But  –> However
• Bad  –> Negative
• Beat up –>  Assault
• Break out  –> Erupt
• Block  –> Undermine
• Blow up –>  Explode
• Boss  –> Employer
• Brave –>  Courageous
• Better –>  Improved
• Big/Large –>  Enormous
• Bring in –>  Introduce
• Break off  –> Suspend/adjourn
• Break down –>  Fail/Collapse
• Check  –> Verify
• Come after  –> Follow
• Choose –>  Select
• Clear  –> Transparent
• Come in  –> Enter
• Call off  –> Cancel
• Complex  –> Convoluted
• Call on –>  Visit
• Childish  –> Infantile
• Chance –>  Opportunity
• Cheap  –> Inexpensive
• Can Is  –> capable of
• Come up  –> to Reach/attain
• Climb –>  Ascend
• Clothes  –> Garment
• Dirty/ polluted  –> Contaminated
• Danger  –> Peril
• Dare  –> Challenge
• Dad  –> Father
• Describe –>  Depict
• Deal with –>  Handle
• Dim  –> Indistinct
• Death –>  Demise
• Deal  –> with Manage
• Drop out  –> of Withdraw (from)
• End  –> Terminate/ Finish
• Ease  –> Facilitate
• Eager –>  Avid
• Expect  –> Anticipate
• Enough  –> Sufficient
• Explain  –> Disclose
• End  –> Terminate
• Empty  –> Vacant
• Enjoyment  –> Gratification

Formal Informal Words Image 5

• friendly  –> Amiable
• Free  –> Liberate
• Fork out  –> Pay (money)
• Fall out –>  Quarrel
• Fight  –> Combat
• Get  –> Receive
• Get out  –> Escape
• Go  –> Depart
• Go before –>  Precede
• Go after  –> Pursue
• Good looking  –> Attractive
• Give –>  Donate
• Go down  –> Decrease
• Go through –>  Examine
• Good for –>  Beneficial
• Go ahead  –> Proceed
• Go up  –> Increase
• Go on  –> Continue
• Go out of  –> Exit
• Give up –>  Quit
• Get away –>  Elude
• Go away –>  Leave/ depart
• Give out –>  Distribute
• Go against –>  Oppose
• Get  –> Obtain
• Good  –> Positive
• Get by –>  Survive

Related: Formal and Informal Words List for IELTS

• Hit out at  –> Criticise
• Hungry –>  Famished
• Here  –> Present
• Help –>  Assist
• Hopeless –>  Futile
• Happy  –> Pleased
• Hurry  –> Haste, hasten
• Hurt  –> Damage
• Idea  –> Notion
• Imagine –>  Envisage
• In charge of –>  Responsible
• Iron out  –> Solve/overcome
• Job  –> Occupation
• Keep –>  Preserve
• Kidding  –> Jesting
• Kids  –> Children
• Look up to –>  Respect
• Look at –>  Regard
• Lucky  –> Fortunate
• Lead to –>  Cause
• Let  –> Allow
• Lucky –>  Fortunate
• Lack  –> Deficiency
• Look for  –> Seek
• Let  –> Permit
• Live –>  Reside
• Leave out  –> Omit
• Look like –>  Resemble
• Lively  –> Energetic
• Laid back –>  Relaxed
• Live  –> Reside
• Look into –>  Investigate
• Make up –>  Fabricate
• Mainly –>  Principally
• Mad  –> Insane
• Maybe  –> Perhaps
• Mend  –> Repair
• Marvelous –>  Exceptional
• Need  –> Require
• Naked  –> Nude
• Next/later  –> Subsequently
• Old  –> Elderly
• Over At an  –> end
• Okay, ok –>  Acceptable
• Older –>  Senior
• Put off  –> Postpone
• Pay back –>  Repay
• Put/ set down –>  Deposit
• Pin down –>  Determine
• Put in  –> Insert
• Pick up  –> Collect
• Put up with  –> Tolerate
• Point out  –> Indicate

Related: Formal and Informal Vocabulary Examples

Informal Formal Vocabulary Image 6

• Really big –>  Considerable
• Remove  –> Eliminate
• Rack up –>  Accumulate
• Refer to  –> Consult
• Rich  –> Wealthy
• Round  –> Circular
• Right  –> Correct
• Show  –> Demonstrate
• Speed up  –> Accelerate
• Stop  –> Cease
• Set up  –> Establish
• Sick –>  ill
• Stubborn  –> Obstinate
• Start/ Begin  –> Commence
• Shorten  –> Decrease
• Settle for  –> Choose
• Say no –>  Reject
• Small –>  Diminutive
• See –>  Observe
• So –>  Therefore
• Sight –>  Vision
• Seem  –> Appear
• Set out  –> Display
• Seem  –> Appear
• Sweat  –> Perspiration
• Say sorry –>  Apologise
• Say  –> Express
• Talk into  –> Persuade
• Tired –>  Exhausted/ Fatigued
• Throw away  –> Discard
• Take out –>  Remove
• Test  –> Experiment
• Thanks  –> Gratitude
• Tough  –> Difficult
• Try out  –> Test
• Talk about  –> Discuss/consider
• Throw  –> out Eject
• Think of  –>  Conceive
• Try  –> Endeavour
• Think about –>  Consider
• Tell  –> Inform
• Use  –> Utilize
• Wood  –> Timber
• Want/ hope –>  Desire
• Wrong –>  Incorrect
• Wait for  –> Await
• Want  –> Desire
• Worse  –> Inferior
• Whole –>  Entire/Complete
• Young –>  Youthful

Must Learn: 200 synonyms words list

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Formal and Informal Words: Grasping the correct ways to use the formal and informal ways to speak is a stepping stone in mastering the English language. There is a major difference between formal and informal words in English.

We have designed a list of formal and informal words in English to help you in this endeavor. The list will help you solve Formal and Informal words pdf.

The two styles of language, namely formal and informal, usually vary depending on the tone one uses, the words that are carefully chosen by the one who is speaking, and the way the speaker is meticulously constructing the words together.

The use of formal language determines and identifies a less personal connection than when using informal language.

• Description of Formal and Informal Language
• Formal and Informal Words in English with Meanings and Examples

Description of Formal and Informal Language

• Formal Language: Formal Language is used mostly when writing or speaking for professional or academic purposes like emails for business, formal letters, academic write-ups, professional academic circumstances, presentations, reports, official and or legal documents, job interviews. Because of its formal tendencies, it can also be used to address people formally.
• Informal Language: Informal language is more of a casual way of speaking, writing, or addressing someone. Generally one uses informal language to communicate with people one knows well like one’s family and friends.

It is usually applied in places that are not of a professional or formal capacity. Further, it is used mostly when narrating a story or personal thoughts. The informal language uses more of a conversational tone, with frequent usage of personal pronouns, informal expressions, sentences constructed are less complicated, and the feelings are more personal.

This type of language can be used in advertising, spontaneous speeches, networking, and everyday conversation with friends and family.

Formal and Informal Words in English with Meanings and Examples

Informal Words

Ask for

This indicates the informal action of asking something an example of that will be The man asked me the path to the nearest bank.

Book

This indicates the informal way of reserving something for a certain time an example of which will be We booked a hotel room for two weeks for our family vacation.

Check

This indicates the informal way of making sure if something is right or present

An example of that will be the following Marie checked her bag thoroughly but still couldn’t find what she was looking for.

Enquire

This indicates the action of asking something an example of which will beThe board members were enquiring the CEO about the company’s revenue.

Get

The word implies the informal way to mean receiving something, generally a gift.

An example of this will be: My friend got me a laptop for my birthday.

Help

The word indicates an informal way of saying coming to the assistance. An

An example of that will be: My friend helped me write my assignment.

Need

The word indicates having the want for something or someone. An

An example of that will be: Three units of blood were urgently needed at the emergency unit.

Say sorry

The word implies an informal way of apologizing to someone. An example of it will be

Jim had to say sorry to me because he lost my precious football.

Start/ Begin

Indicates to an informal way that implies the beginning of a certain event. An example of that will be: The ceremony began in the afternoon and went on till midnight.

Endeavor

This indicates an informal way to imply putting effort into something. An example of that will be I hope Joe can be successful in his future endeavors.

Deal with

This indicates an informal way of addressing the fact that a person has to understand and fix a situation. An example of that will be: Cal was called up to deal with the situation that involved his brother.

Tell

Indicates an informal way to imply the exchange of information between two people.

An example of that will be: The teacher told the students to concentrate and study harder to ace the exam.

Wait for

This indicates an informal way of implying waiting for somebody. An example of this will be: I had to wait for the bus at the bus stop for more than three hours.

Fight

A word that implies the physical action of going against somebody with the intention of hitting them. An example of that will be: A fight broke out in the college cafeteria regarding who will get the last piece of fried chicken

Use/Eat

The word indicates the act of consuming food for the sustenance of life. An example of that will be We decided to eat a turkey during Thanksgiving.

Go

Indicates the act of moving from one place to another. An example of that will be: We decided to go to Europe together as a family during our school vacation.

Tough

The word means to imply something hard in nature and not easy to break. An example of that will be: The cheese froze in the freezer and it was very tough to break.

Small

The word goes to mean an object that is minuscule in size. An example of that would be I asked for a smaller portion of food because I wasn’t very hungry.

Explain

The word means to make something be understood in detail. An example of that will be: The teacher explained to us the facilities of a modern computer

Set out

The word essentially means to arrange and put something on display. An example of that will be: The food was put out on the table for dinner.

Throw out

A word that implies the act of discarding something. An example of that will be: While cleaning the house, my mother threw out my favorite toy by mistake.

Old

A word that is used for referring to someone who has lived for a long time. An example of that will be: The old man suffered from several diseases and died at the age of eighty-three.

Say

A word that is used to describe when someone utters various expressions and words to convey information. An example of that will be: It was time for Jim to say goodbye to his friends.

Afraid

A word used to refer to someone scared of something. An example of it will be: Jim sleeps with the light on in his room because he is afraid of the dark.

In the End

A word used to mean the end of something. An example for the usage of the word will be: The team worked really and in the end finally won the championship.

Lucky

The word that is used to refer to someone who generally is graced with an element of luck. An example of that would be: Joe considers seven to be his lucky number.

But

A word that is used to mention something that is to be added to the first part of a sentence. An example of that will be: Joe is a rich man but very humble.

Wrong

It is a word used to refer to something incorrect. An example of that will be: It is wrong to discriminate against people of different caste, races, or ethnicities.

However

A word used to introduce something to a sentence to contradict its first part. An example of that will be Jim has a lot of clothes however most of them are not his size.

Go up

A word used to refer to something that is increasing. An example of the usage of the word will be: The price of the Tesla stock has been going up for the last few months.

Cheap

A word used to refer to something that is of relatively less value. An example for the usage of that word will be Jake bought cheap earphones and they stopped functioning properly in a month.

At first

A word used to refer to something in the beginning. An example for the usage of that word will be: Jim was skeptical at first but later warmed up to the plan.

Mad

A word used to refer to someone who is not mentally stable. An example for the usage of that word will be: The friends ran around the town like madmen trying to solve the treasure hunt.

Set up

The word is used to refer to something being established, a plan, or an establishment. An example for the usage of that word will be: The company set up a five-year plan to track its growth.

Put off

The word used to say one wants to postpone. An example for the use of that word will be: He has put the task off for so long that he doesn’t want to do it anymore.

Seem

It is the word used to refer to something or someone appears to be in a particular way

An example of the usage of that word is: Jake seems annoyed by his friends constantly picking on him.

Want

The word is attributed to the emotion of needing something. An example of the usage of the aforementioned word is: Aaron wanted to have a burger for dinner.

Say no

These words are generally used to reject someone. An example of it will be: The students requested more time but the teacher said no.

Buy

It is the word used to obtain something in exchange for money. An example of the use of the word would be: Jack bought himself a computer for his birthday.

Formal Words

Request

A word used to imply the formal way of asking for something. An example of the usage of the word will be: We called the hotel and requested a booking at 3.

Reserve

The formal way of saying one has booked something for a particular time. An example of the usage of the word will be: The restaurant called us to tell us that we had missed our reservation for 3.

Verify

The formal way of asking to make sure i.e double-check about something. An example of the usage of the word will be: The website asked me to verify my credentials numerous times.

Receive

The word used to imply the formal way to mean accept something. An example of the usage of the word will be: I received a few packages from Amazon that weren’t properly packed.

Assist

The word used to imply the formal way to refer to the act of helping. An example of the usage of the word will be The customer care executive asked me if he could assist me in anything.

Request

The word is used to describe the formal way of stating the want for something or someone. An example of the usage of the word will be All residents are requested to be at the community hall by 3.

Apologize

The word is used to describe a formal way of saying sorry to someone. An example of the usage of the word will be: The company staff apologized to me for providing me with a faulty product.

Commence

The word is used to describe a formal way to address the beginning of a certain event. An example of the usage of the word will be: The meeting will commence in three minutes.

End

The word is used as a formal way to imply the ending of a certain event. An example of the usage of the word will be: The event started during the evening and went on well into the night before it ended.

Terminate/ Finish

The word is used as a formal way of implying the end of an event. An example of the usage of the word will be: He was about to finish the race when he felt a bad cramp in his leg and had to retire from the race.

Try

Word used to describe effort put into something to achieve something. An example of the usage of the word will be: Jim was trying to enter the school football team by any means necessary.

Handle

Word used to imply a formal way of addressing the fact that a person has to deal with a situation. An example of the usage of the word will be: Jim was called up by his company to handle the situation in his department.

Inform

It is a word used in a formal way of usage for the term “tell”. An example of the usage of the word will be: The corporate informed me of my immediate termination of service because of my tardiness.

Await

It is a word used to imply a formal way of implying waiting for somebody. An example of the usage of the word will be: I awaited Jin’s arrival for more than an hour.

Combat

The word is used to describe the formal way to state and understood to be fighting. An example of the usage of the word will be: In the ancient days, the winner was decided by a trial by combat.

Consume

The word is used as the formal way of stating absorbing something. An example of the usage of the word will be: We calculated the number of calories we consumed each day.

Depart

The word is used as the formal way to state a person is going from one point to another or leaving somewhere. An example of the usage of the world will be: The train departed at a quarter past three.

Difficult

The word is used as a formal way to state if something is difficult. An example of the usage of the word will be: The question paper set by the teacher was so difficult that half of the students failed.

Diminutive

The word is used as a formal way to make one understand if something is small. An example of the usage of the word will be: Jim has diminutive hands for an adult

Disclose

The word is used as a means to reveal something to someone. An example of the usage of the word will be: The government has disclosed the details of the undercover operation against terrorists to the public.

Display

The word is used to imply the formal way that is to be understood for putting things in public for everyone to see. An example of the usage of the word will be: The awards he had won in high school were put on display in a transparent cupboard.

Eject

The word is used to describe the formal way to state the exercise of taking or throwing something out. An example of the usage of the word will be: The computer mechanic ejected the hard drive and fixed my computer.

Elderly

The word is used as the formal way of referring to a person who has lived for a long time. An example of the usage of the word will be: The millionaire donated a huge amount of money for the construction of a home for the elderly.

Express

The word is used as a formal way to mean saying something to someone. An example of the usage of the world: They organized a march to express their dissent against the government laws.

Fearful

The word is used as a formal way to imply being afraid. An example of the usage of the world: The company was fearful of the consequences if they rolled out new products to replace the old ones.

Finally

The word is used as the formal word that is used to mean the end of something. An example of the usage of the world: The team performed really well for years and finally in the fifth year they won the championship.

Fortunate

The word is the formal word used to refer to luck. An example of the usage of the word will be: He was fortunate enough to survive the car crash.

Incorrect

The formal word is used to mean when something is incorrect. An example of the usage of the world will be like: The manager was angry at Simon because he put in incorrect numbers in the spreadsheet.

Increase

The formal word is used to refer to something that is growing in size. An example of the usage of the word: Air Pollution has increased potentially since the rise in the market of cars.

Inexpensive

The formal word is used to refer to something that is of less value. An example of the usage of the word: The company looked for inexpensive solutions to their major problems.

Initially

The formal word is used to refer to someone’s emotions at the beginning. An example of the usage of the word: The payment was initially made in installments and later paid in chunks.

Insane

The formal word is used to refer to someone who is not mentally stable. An example of the usage of the word: The poet almost went insane trying to find the meaning of life.

Establish

The formal word refers to something being set up. An example of the usage of the word: The company established itself as one of the biggest in their area of work.

Postpone

The formal word is used to put off something for a certain period of time. An example of the usage of the word will be: The meeting was postponed by fifteen minutes.

Appear

A Formal word is used to mean something or someone that appears to be in a particular way. An example of the usage of the word: The third part of the book appeared at a considerably later time than the second part.

Desire

A formal word is attributed to the emotion of want. An example of usage of the word: Jim desired to be a pilot when he grew up.

Reject

The formal word is used for the act of saying no. An example of usage of the word: His job application was rejected and he didn’t get the job.

Purchase

The formal word used for the word “buy”. An example of the usage of the word Microsoft purchased the smaller app for an amount of two million dollars.

This concludes the list of most formal and informal words in English. There are obviously more of these but the ones put in the list are the most common ones and are used a lot in daily life. This list is prepared with the purpose that it will help a first-time learner understand the concepts of the English language.