Language, being a vital tool for communication, reflects the nuances of various social scenarios we find ourselves in. From formal boardroom discussions to casual chats by the coffee machine, the tone and terms we use can significantly differ.
Mastering the art of switching between formal and informal lexicons is essential for effective communication, ensuring both clarity and congeniality.
To aid in honing this skill, we have compiled a comprehensive list of words and phrases categorized under formal and informal usage.
Whether you are penning a professional report, drafting an email to a colleague, or engaging in daily dialogues, having a robust vocabulary to draw from is invaluable.
In this blog post, we delve into an extensive collection of formal and informal words, enriching your English language repertoire.
The curated list is also available for download as a PDF, providing a handy reference at your fingertips.
As we explore these terms, you’ll discover the subtleties that can make your communication more precise and appropriate for different settings.
So, let’s embark on this linguistic journey that promises to refine your verbal and written interactions.
Formal Language is like a formal dress, in 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.
Venturing into the linguistic landscape, we first encounter common words that wear formal and informal hats. This section unveils these versatile words, easing your journey across professional and casual dialogues.
| Informal | Formal |
| A Bit | A Little |
| A Lot Of | Numerous |
| Afraid | Fearful |
| Again & Again | Repeatedly |
| Also | In Addition, Additionally |
| Also In | Addition, |
| Anyway | Nevertheless |
| Ask | Enquire |
| Ask For | Request |
| Ask Out | Invite |
| At First | Initially |
| At Once | Immediately |
| Avoid | Evade |
| Away | Absent |
| Bad | Negative |
| Beat Up | Assault |
| Better | Improved |
| Big/Large | Enormous |
| Block | Undermine |
| Blow Up | Explode |
| Book | Reserve |
| Boss | Employer |
| Brave | Courageous |
| Break Down | Fail/Collapse |
| Break Off | Suspend/Adjourn |
| Break Out | Erupt |
| Bright/Smart | Intelligent |
| Bring In | Introduce |
| Build | Construct |
| But | However |
| Buy | Purchase |
| By | By Means Of |
| Call Off | Cancel |
| Call On | Visit |
| Can | Is Capable Of |
| Catch Up | Understand |
| Chance | Opportunity |
| Cheap | Inexpensive |
| Check | Verify |
| Childish | Infantile |
| Choose | Select |
| Clear | Transparent |
| Climb | Ascend |
| Clothes | Garment |
| Come After | Follow |
| Come In | Enter |
| Come Up To | Reach/Attain |
| Complex | Convoluted |
| Dad | Father |
| Danger | Peril |
| Dare | Challenge |
| Deal With | Handle |
| Death | Demise |
| Describe | Depict |
| Dim | Indistinct |
| Dirty/Polluted | Contaminated |
| Drop Out Of | Withdraw (From) |
| Eager | Avid |
| Ease | Facilitate |
| Empty | Vacant |
| End | Terminate/Finish |
| Enjoyment | Gratification |
| Enough | Sufficient |
| Expect | Anticipate |
| Explain | Disclose |
| Fall Out | Quarrel |
| Fight | Combat |
| Find Out | Learn/Discover |
| Fork Out | Pay (Money) |
| Free | Release |
| Friendly | Amiable |
| Funny | Humorous, Amusing |
| Get | Receive |
| Get Away | Elude |
| Get By | Survive |
| Get Out | Escape |
| Give | Provide |
| Give Out | Distribute |
| Give Up | Quit |
| Go | Depart |
| Go After | Pursue |
| Go Against | Oppose |
| Go Ahead | Proceed |
| Go Away | Leave/ Depart |
| Go Before | Precede |
| Go Down | Decrease |
| Go On | Continue |
| Go Out Of | Exit |
| Go Through | Examine |
| Go Up | Increase |
| Good | Positive |
| Good For | Beneficial |
| Good Looking | Attractive |
| Happy | Pleased |
| Help | Aid/ Assist |
| Here | Present |
| Hit Out At | Criticise |
| Hopeless | Futile |
| Hungry | Famished |
| Hurry | Haste, Hasten |
| Hurt | Damage |
| Idea | Notion |
| Imagine | Envisage |
| In Charge Of | Responsible |
| In The End | Finally |
| Iron Out | Solve/Overcome |
| Job | Occupation |
| Keep | Preserve |
| Kidding | Jesting |
| Kids | Children |
| Lack | Deficiency |
| Laid Back | Relaxed |
| Lead To | Cause |
| Leave Out | Omit |
| Let | Allow |
| Let | Permit |
| Link Up | Connect |
| Live | Reside |
| Lively | Energetic |
| Look At | Regard |
| Look For | Seek |
| Look Into | Investigate |
| Look Like | Resemble |
| Look Up To | Respect |
| Lucky | Fortunate |
| Mad | Insane |
| Mainly | Principally |
| Make Out | Discern |
| Make Up | Invent |
| Marvelous | Exceptional |
| Maybe | Perhaps |
| Mend | Repair |
| Naked | Nude |
| Need | Request |
| Need | Require |
| Next/Later | Subsequently |
| Okay, Ok | Acceptable |
| Old | Elderly |
| Older | Senior |
| Over | At An End |
| Pay Back | Repay |
| Pick Up | Collect |
| Pin Down | Determine |
| Point Out | Indicate |
| Put In | Insert |
| Put Off | Postpone |
| Put Up With | Tolerate |
| Rack Up | Accumulate |
| Really Big | Considerable |
| Refer To | Consult |
| Remove | Eliminate |
| Rich | Wealthy |
| Right | Correct |
| Round | Circular |
| Say | Express |
| Say No | Reject |
| Say Sorry | Apologise |
| See | Observe |
| Seem | Appear |
| Set Out | Display |
| Set Up | Establish |
| Settle For | Choose |
| Shorten | Decrease |
| Show | Demonstrate |
| Sick | Ill |
| Sight | Vision |
| Small | Diminutive |
| So | Therefore |
| Speed Up | Accelerate |
| Start/ Begin | Commence |
| Stop | Cease |
| Stubborn | Obstinate |
| Sweat | Perspiration |
| Take Out | Remove |
| Talk About | Discuss/Consider |
| Talk Into | Persuade |
| Tell | Inform |
| Test | Experiment |
| Thanks | Gratitude |
| Think About | Consider |
| Think Of | Conceive |
| Throw Away | Discard |
| Throw Out | Eject |
| Tired | Exhausted/ Fatigued |
| Tough | Difficult |
| Try | Endeavour |
| Try Out | Test |
| Use | Utilize |
| Use/Eat | Consume |
| Wait For | Await |
| Whole | Entire/Complete |
| Wood | Timber |
| Worse | Inferior |
| Wrong | Incorrect |
| Young | Youthful |
Verbs, the action heroes of our sentences, come next. Our compilation of formal and informal verbs is designed to empower your language, ensuring each action lands with the intended impact.
| Informal | Formal |
| Ask | Enquire |
| Check | Verify |
| Tell | Inform |
| Need | Require |
| Start | Commence |
| End | Conclude |
| Get | Obtain |
| Give | Provide |
| Help | Assist |
| Show | Demonstrate |
| Tell | Inform |
| Try | Attempt |
| Use | Utilize |
| Want | Desire |
| Wait | Await |
| Buy | Purchase |
| Say | State |
| Leave | Depart |
| Fix | Repair |
| Think | Consider |
| Go | Proceed |
| Know | Recognize |
| Guess | Estimate |
| Look | Observe |
| Make | Create |
| Put | Place |
| Run | Operate |
| Send | Transmit |
| Build | Construct |
| Find | Discover |
Nouns are the cornerstone of clarity in communication. Delve into our curated list of formal and informal nouns that ensure your message stands tall in any scenario.
| Informal | Formal |
| Info | Information |
| Ad | Advertisement |
| Bike | Bicycle |
| Doc | Document |
| Tv | Television |
| Fridge | Refrigerator |
| Pics | Pictures |
| Lab | Laboratory |
| Phone | Telephone |
| Cab | Taxi |
| Movie | Film |
| Net | Internet |
| Dad | Father |
| Mom | Mother |
| Kid | Child |
| Cop | Police officer |
| Auto | Automobile |
| Exam | Examination |
| Gym | Gymnasium |
| Zoo | Zoological park |
| App | Application |
| Math | Mathematics |
| Chem | Chemistry |
| Bio | Biology |
| Prof | Professor |
| Rep | Representative |
| Tech | Technician |
| Vet | Veterinarian |
As we venture further, adjectives are our next stop. These descriptive darlings have the power to color your narrative, and our list will guide you on when to keep it formal and when to let it loose.
| Informal | Formal |
| Cheap | Inexpensive |
| Tasty | Delicious |
| Old | Elderly |
| Sick | Ill |
| Cozy | Comfortable |
| Quick | Rapid |
| Smart | Intelligent |
| Tough | Difficult |
| Neat | Orderly |
| Rich | Wealthy |
| Cool | Agreeable |
| Hot | Spicy |
| Fast | Speedy |
| Funny | Humorous |
| Mad | Insane |
| Dirty | Unclean |
| Tired | Fatigued |
| Happy | Content |
| Sad | Despondent |
| Shiny | Lustrous |
| Big | Large |
| Small | Diminutive |
| Bright | Vivid |
| Dark | Obscure |
| Clean | Sanitary |
| Pretty | Attractive |
| Ugly | Unattractive |
| Young | Youthful |
| Old | Elderly |
Slang, the spice of conversation, comes with its own set of formal and informal flavors. Explore our collection to master the art of spicing up conversations while keeping it classy or casual.
| Informal | Formal |
| Bucks | Dollars |
| Cop | Police officer |
| Doc | Doctor |
| Bro | Brother |
| Chick | Young woman |
| Dude | Man |
| Veggies | Vegetables |
| Kicks | Shoes |
| Shades | Sunglasses |
| Chill | Relax |
| Crash | Sleep |
| Buzzed | Intoxicated |
| Nuts | Crazy |
| Yap | Talk |
| Guts | Courage |
| Preggo | Pregnant |
| Snail mail | Postal mail |
| Vino | Wine |
| Grub | Food |
| Threads | Clothes |
| Whip | Car |
| Flick | Movie |
| Gigs | Jobs |
| Shades | Sunglasses |
| Booze | Alcohol |
| Moolah | Money |
| Kiddo | Child |
| Zonked | Exhausted |
| Jitters | Nervousness |
Abbreviations are the compact carriers of meaning. Our section on formal and informal abbreviations is your go-to guide for keeping your messages crisp, clear, and apt for the occasion.
| Informal | Formal |
| Asap | As soon as possible |
| Diy | Do it yourself |
| Tba | To be announced |
| Rsvp | Please respond |
| Faq | Frequently asked questions |
| Eta | Estimated time of arrival |
| Fyi | For your information |
| Eod | End of day |
| B2b | Business to business |
| B2c | Business to consumer |
| Hr | Human resources |
| Pr | Public relations |
| Id | Identification |
| Misc. | Miscellaneous |
| Inc. | Incorporated |
| Jr. | Junior |
| Pa | Personal assistant |
| Pto | Paid time off |
| R&d | Research and development |
| Vip | Very important person |
| Tbd | To be determined |
| Aka | Also known as |
| Iq | Intelligence quotient |
| Ad | Anno domini |
| Bc | Before christ |
| Am | Ante meridiem |
| Pm | Post meridiem |
In the business arena, the right words can open doors. Traverse through our list of business-centric formal and informal words to navigate the corporate communication maze with ease.
| Informal | Formal |
| Boss | Supervisor |
| Help out | Assist |
| Get together | Meeting |
| Hire | Employ |
| Fire | Terminate |
| Chat | Consultation |
| Pay | Compensation |
| Job | Position |
| Team | Department |
| Deal | Agreement |
| Sign up | Register |
| Feedback | Evaluation |
| Raise | Salary increase |
| Perks | Benefits |
| Rules | Regulations |
| Workshop | Seminar |
| Talk | Presentation |
| Office | Workplace |
| Coworkers | Colleagues |
| Workload | Assignment |
| Desk | Workstation |
| Setup | Arrangement |
| Goal | Objective |
| Check | Review |
| Update | Modify |
| Join | Participate |
| Problem | Issue |
The academic sphere has its own lexicon of formal and informal words. Our curated list is your compass to academic eloquence, bridging the formal-informal divide seamlessly.
| Informal | Formal |
| Kids | Students |
| Teacher | Instructor |
| Principal | Headmaster |
| Homework | Assignment |
| Fail | Unsuccessful |
| Pass | Successful |
| Study | Research |
| Class | Lecture |
| School | Institution |
| Learn | Educate |
| Test | Examination |
| Cheat | Academic dishonesty |
| Skip | Absent |
| Expel | Dismiss |
| Punish | Discipline |
| Subject | Discipline |
| Help | Tutor |
| Report | Dissertation |
| Grad | Graduate |
| Dropout | Non-completer |
| Write | Compose |
| Math | Mathematics |
| Science | Scientific study |
| History | Historical study |
| Read | Analyze |
| Group | Cohort |
Social interactions are a playground of formal and informal words. Our compilation enriches your social vocabulary, ensuring you strike the right chord in every interaction.
| Informal | Formal |
| Hang out | Socialize |
| Buddy | Friend |
| Party | Gathering |
| Eat | Dine |
| Drink | Beverage |
| Sleep | Rest |
| Fun | Entertainment |
| Laugh | Amusement |
| Cry | Weep |
| Chat | Conversation |
| Gift | Present |
| Invite | Invitation |
| Clothes | Apparel |
| Shoes | Footwear |
| Shop | Purchase |
| Pics | Photographs |
| Movie | Cinema |
| Music | Musical composition |
| Dance | Performance |
| Sing | Vocalize |
| Play | Engage |
| Run | Jog |
| Game | Recreational activity |
| Chill | Relax |
| Travel | Journey |
Crossing the Atlantic, we dive into the British and American formal and informal words. This section is your linguistic passport to transatlantic communication, embracing the rich diversity in English language usage.
| American English | British English | |
| Informal | Informal | Formal Words |
| Dude | Mate | Associate/Colleague |
| Y’all | Lads | Everyone/All |
| Trash | Rubbish | Waste/Rubbish |
| Fries | Chips | Hot Chips |
| Cookie | Biscuit | Biscuit |
| Sneakers | Trainers | Athletic Footwear |
| Hood | Bonnet (of a car) | Engine Compartment |
| Trunk | Boot (of a car) | Car Boot |
| Apartment | Flat | Apartment/Flat |
| Gas | Petrol | Fuel/Petrol |
| Diaper | Nappy | Nappy/Infant Undergarment |
| Candy | Sweets | Confectionery |
| Sidewalk | Pavement | Footpath |
| Zucchini | Courgette | Courgette |
| Eggplant | Aubergine | Aubergine |
| Faucet | Tap | Tap |
| Flashlight | Torch | Torch |
| Bangs | Fringe | Fringe |
| Subway | Underground | Rail System |
| Attorney | Solicitor/Barrister | Solicitor/Lawyer |
Related:
Download this lesson on Formal and Informal word lists in English in PDF
Hi, I'm USMI, engdic.org's Author & Lifestyle Linguist. My decade-long journey in language and lifestyle curation fuels my passion for weaving words into everyday life. Join me in exploring the dynamic interplay between English and our diverse lifestyles. Dive into my latest insights, where language enriches every aspect of living.
