informallyadv.
/ɪnˈfɔːml̩i/, /ɪnˈfɔːməli/, U.S. /ᵻnˈfɔrməli/ In an informal way; not according to the recognized or prescribed form, unofficially; without formality or ceremony, in a casual or relaxed manner.
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the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > [adverb] > informally
informally1594
familiarly1757
rough and tumblea1798
1594 A. Hume Treat. Conscience vi. 45 Sometime, he wil pray formally and weil, sometime informally, being interrupted with teares, or with wauering thochts.
a1639 J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. (1655) vi. 364 Montgomery his resignation being then made publick, he was shortly after, as informally absolved as he was excommunicated.
1704 S. Carter Treat. conc. Trespasses xiii. 168 Where..the Defendant pleads his Free-hold, and gives no Colour, or otherwise pleads informally, in this case the Demurrer must be Special.
1772 Petition H. Sinclair 9 If the present action shall be considered by your Lordships as illegal, and informally brought into court, [etc.].
1800 Admir. Desp. 29 Mar. in Ld. Nelson Dispatches (1845) IV. 217 (note) Passports..which may have been in the interval (however informally) granted.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth x, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 272 The dispensation from Rome was informally granted.
1883 ‘Ouida’ Wanda I. 193 A chance acquaintance made quite informally.
1938 Life 6 June 71/1 (caption) Cakes baked by girl guests and informally packed in underwear and sportswear boxes embellished the Rhodes kitchen before the party.
1958 D. Spitz Democracy & Challenge of Power vii. 93 Whatever the administrative charts may show concerning the hierarchical or pyramidical structures of power, the lines of responsibility are informally rather than formally determined.
2006 Daily Tel. 1 Sept. 12/7 Some producers are even turning out biodynamic wines—or Organic Plus as it is called informally.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1594