List Of Formal And Informal Words. Formal and informal words are part of daily communication in English language. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to using formal or informal language, knowing when to use each type of word can enhance your communication skills. Formal language is used in professional or academic settings such as business meetings, interviews, presentations, and official letters.
Must Read: Opposite Words in English
What is Formal?
The term “formal” can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Generally, it refers to something that is done or expressed in a proper, serious, or official manner, often following established rules, procedures, or conventions.
- In language and communication, formal language is used in situations where a high level of decorum, respect, and professionalism is expected.
What is informal words?
Informal words are words and phrases that are commonly used in casual settings, such as among friends or in everyday conversation. They are typically more relaxed and less formal than the language used in professional or academic settings.
- Gonna – a contraction of “going to”
Example: i’m gonna meet up with my friends later tonight.
- Wanna – a contraction of “want to”
Example: wanna grab some pizza for dinner?
- Gotta – a contraction of “got to” or “have got to”
Example: i gotta finish this project by tomorrow.
- Dunno – a contraction of “don’t know”
Example: dunno if i’ll be able to make it to the party.
- Gonna – yet another example of “going to”
Example: they’re gonna try to sell their old car this weekend.
List Of Formal And Informal Words
Informal —– Formal
Keep—–Retain
Over At an —–End
Speed Up —– Accelerate
Next/Later —– Subsequently
Keep—–Preserve
Marvelous —– Exceptional
Look Into—–Investigate
Big/Large —– Enormous
Over —– At An End
Thanks —–Gratitude
Kids—–Children
Call On—–Visit
Mend —– Repair
Bring About—–Cause
Need To—–Required
Try Out —– Test
Get Out —– Escape
Catch Up —– Understand
Plus/Also—–Moreover/ Furthermore
Smart—–Intelligent
Good Looking —– Attractive
Really Big—–Considerable
Talk About —– Discuss/Consider
Seem —– Appear
Iron Out —– Solve/Overcome
Remove —– Eliminate
Worse—–Inferior
Give Out —– Distribute
A Lot Of —– Numerous
Make Up —– Invent
Laid Back —– Relaxed
Also In —–Addition
Lucky—–Fortunate
Leave Out —– Omit
End —–Terminate
Funny —– Humorous, Amusing
In The End —– Finally
Enough —– Sufficient
Check—–Verify
Mainly—–Principally
Look Like —– Resemble
Give Up—–Quit
Ask For —– Request
Break Out —– Erupt
Go Away —– Leave/ Depart
To Sum up—–In Conclusion
T.V. —–Television
Give —– Provide
Put Up—–Tolerate
Put Off—–Postpone, Delay
Ease —– Facilitate
Refer To—–Consult
Cheap—–Inexpensive
Free —– Liberate
Dirty/ Polluted —– Contaminated
Live—–Reside
All Right—–Acceptable
Sweat —–Perspiration
Start/ Begin —–Commence
Lively —–Energetic
Net—–Internet
Say —– Express
Free —– Release
Expect —–Anticipate
Rack Up—–Accumulate
Brave —– Courageous
End —–Terminate/ Finish
Show—–Demonstrate
Buy—–Purchase
Rich —–Wealthy
Make Out —– Discern
Want—–Desire
Get Away —– Elude
Hit Out At —– Criticize
It’s about—–It Concerns
Old —–Elderly
Maybe —– Perhaps
Loaded—–Rich
Look For —– Seek
Also—–Moreover
Look At —– Regard
Round —– Circular
In The Meantime—–In the Interim
Mad—–Insane
Throw Away —– Discard
Choose —– Select
Avoid —– Evade
Right—–Correct
Hopeless —– Futile
Fall Out —– Quarrel
Chance—–Opportunity
See —– Observe
Bring In —– Introduce
Go —–Depart
At First —– Initially
Explain —–Disclose
Danger —– Peril
Older —– senior
Whole—–Complete
Think About —– Consider
Show Up—–Arrive
Happy —–Pleased
Give —– Donate
Bad —– Negative
I Think—–In My Opinion
Climb —– Ascend
Hurry —– Haste, Hasten
Look At—–Examine
Photo—–Photograph
Boss —– Employer
In Charge Of —– Responsible
Take Out —– Remove
Imagine —– Envisage
Good—–Positive
Let—–Permit
Good For —– Beneficial
Death—–Demise
Shorten —–Decrease
Childish —– Immature
Set Out —–Display
Point Out —–Indicate
Pin Down —– Determine
Asp—–As Soon As Possible
Help —– Aid/ Assist
Here —– Present
Put In—–Insert
Say Sorry—– Apologies
Wrong—–Incorrect
Settle For —– Choose
Wait For —–Await
Clothes —– Garment
Sick —– Ill
Dim—–Indistinct
Use/Eat —– Consume
Eager —– Avid
Ask —– Enquire
But—–However
Friendly —–Amiable
Look Up To —– Respect
Fill In—–Substitute, Inform
End—–Finish
Dare—–Challenge
Talk Into —–Persuade
Ask Out —–Invite
Say No—–Reject
Fight —–Combat
Again & Again —– Repeatedly
Hurt —– Damage, Harm
Go Ahead —– Proceed
Away —–Absent
Need —– Request
Tell—–Inform
Deal —–With Manage
Tired —– Exhausted/ Fatigued
Deal With —– Manage
Pay Back —– Repay
Call Off —–Cancel
Stand For—–Represent
Find Out—–Discover
Pick Up —– Collect
Clear—–Transparent
Go Through —– Examine
See —– Perceive
Stubborn —–Obstinate
Link Up —– Connect
So—–Therefore/Thus
Tough —– Difficult
Go Down—–Decrease
Have To—–Must
Settle For —–Choose
Stop —–Cease
Think Of —– Conceive
Get By —– Survive
Drop Out —–Of Withdraw (From)
Break Off —– Suspend/Adjourn
Get —–Obtain
Deal With—–Handle
Cell—–Cell Phone
Better —–Improved
Go On —– Continue
Beat Up —– Assault
Let—–Allow
Test —–Experiment
Childish —– Infantile
Go Out Of —–Exit
Need—–Require
Put/ Set Down —– Deposit
Anyway—–Nevertheless
Book —– Reserve
A Bit —– A Little
Go Up —– Increase
Bright/Smart —– Intelligent
Enjoyment —– Gratification
Fork Out —– Pay (Money)
Ring Up—–Call
Kidding —– Jesting
By —– By Means Of
Get In Touch With—–Contact
Can —– Is Capable Of
Hungry —– Famished
Lack—–Deficiency
At Once —– Immediately
Blow Up —– Explode
Describe —– Depict
Idea —– Notion
Young —– Youthful
Sorry—–Apologize
Block—–Undermine
Wood —–Timber
Make Up—–Fabricate
Dad —– Father
Go After —– Pursue
Use—–Utilize
Naked —– Nude
Empty —– Vacant
Set Up —–Establish
Come Up To —– Reach/Attain
Lead To —– Cause
Live —– Reside
Come In —–Enter
Small —– Diminutive
Try —– Endeavour
Go Before —– Precede
Job—–Occupation
Okay, Ok —– Acceptable
Afraid —– Fearful
Get —–Receive
Come After —– Follow
Sight —– Vision
Drop Out Of —– Withdraw (From)
Ask —–Enquire
Throw Out —– Eject
Whole—–Entire
Build —– Construct
Break Down —– Fail/Collapse
Complex —–Convoluted
