What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
informal
Example
The party had an informal dress code, so I wore jeans and a t-shirt. [informal: adjective]
Example
Let's have an informal meeting to discuss the project. [informal: adjective]
Example
I sent an informal email to my friend to catch up. [informal: adjective]
unofficial
Example
The unofficial results of the election were leaked to the press. [unofficial: adjective]
Example
I heard an unofficial rumor that the company is going bankrupt. [unofficial: adjective]
Example
He held an unofficial position as the team's coach, even though he wasn't officially hired. [unofficial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Informal is more commonly used than unofficial in everyday language. Informal is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unofficial is more limited in scope and is typically used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between informal and unofficial?
Informal is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, while unofficial is more negative in connotation and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation.
