What does informality mean?
Informality is the noun for the quality of being relaxed, casual, or outside the conventions associated with formal occasions. It most commonly appears in descriptions of social atmospheres, workplaces, clothing, communication, and ceremonies: an office may be known for its informality, or a speaker may offend an audience through the informality of their remarks. The word is usually neutral when it describes an intentionally friendly or creative environment, but it can be mildly disapproving when it suggests insufficient respect for rules, status, or social expectations. The less common countable sense refers to a particular informal remark or act, as in describing a guest’s behavior as “an informality.” A closely related adjective is “informal,” while the standard opposite is “formality.”
nounThe quality of being informal, relaxed, or not governed by strict social or official conventions. In the less common countable sense, it refers to an informal remark, behaviour, or act.
- The quality of being relaxed, casual, or free from strict social or official convention.
- An informal remark, behaviour, or act, especially one regarded as a breach of convention.
"The informality of the evening made strangers quickly feel at ease."
"Her informality made the interview feel more like a friendly conversation than a formal assessment."
"He was shocked by the informality of a guest who addressed the queen without ceremony."
Usually used in the less common countable sense of individual informal remarks or acts; the main sense, meaning a relaxed or unofficial quality, is normally uncountable.
"The master of ceremonies reminded guests that several of his jokes were among the evening's harmless informalities."
The opposite of informality shares the same Latin root: both formal and informal ultimately derive from Latin forma, meaning “shape” or “form.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does informality come from?
“Informality” was formed in English by adding the suffix “-ity” to “informal.” The underlying adjective “informal” was borrowed from French “informel,” which was derived from Latin “informalis,” meaning “not formal” or “without form.” Its ancestor “formal,” in turn, comes through French from Latin “formalis,” associated with “forma,” meaning “shape,” “form,” or “pattern.” Related English words include “form,” “format,” and “formality.”
Related word forms
How informality is actually used
The word is most often uncountable and can carry a mildly critical tone when it describes conduct considered inappropriate to a formal setting. Its countable sense is much less common.
Easily confused with informality
“Informality” is the noun naming a relaxed or unofficial quality, whereas “informal” is the adjective describing something that lacks formal rules or ceremony.