Skip links

formal and informal words

Table of Contents

200+ Formal and Informal Words List in English | Download PDF

Communication relies on language as an indispensable tool. Nevertheless, the manner in which language is employed can vary based on the context and the audience. Notably, the decision to use formal or informal words can significantly influence the perception of our message. Formal language is generally employed in professional or academic environments, while informal language is more fitting for casual conversations or personal interactions.

This blog post delves into the distinctions between formal and informal words, offering examples of when to employ each. Whether crafting an email to a supervisor or engaging in a discussion with a friend, grasping the subtleties of formal and informal language can enhance your communication skills.

Difference between formal and informal words

Formal

In professional or academic environments, like business, legal, or technical writing, formal words are commonly employed. These words are characterized by their precision, specificity, and sophistication in both meaning and tone. They are selected to convey a sense of professionalism, authority, or formality in communication.

Informal

Conversely, informal words find their place in casual or social settings, like everyday conversations with friends or family. These words are characterized by their colloquial, relaxed, and familiar nature in both meaning and tone. They are often chosen to convey a sense of friendliness, humor, or informality in communication.

Formal:

  1. Acquire (get)
  2. Utilize (use)
  3. Inquire (ask)
  4. Discontinue (stop)
  5. Ascertain (find out)

Informal:

  1. Get (acquire)
  2. Use (utilize)
  3. Ask (inquire)
  4. Stop (discontinue)
  5. Find out (ascertain)
    User
    As you can see, formal words are more complex and less common in everyday speech, while informal words are simpler and more commonly used in casual conversations. It’s important to be aware of the context and audience when choosing which type of language to use.

Formal and Informal words list

List of Words 1 to 50

Sr. NumFormal Words Informal Words
1.Commence Start
2.TerminateEnd
3.Subsequently Later
4.FacilitateHelp
5.UtilizeUse
6.Implement Put into effect
7InquireAsk
8AcquireGet
9Ascertain Find Out
10EndeavorTry
11.ConstituteForm
12.Cognizant Aware
13.Undertake Take on
14.Mitigate Lessen
15.Concur Agree
16.PeruseRead
17.AscertainFind Out
18.Incorporate Include
19.Facilitate Help
20.Inspect Examine
21.Evaluate Assess
22.Instigate Start
23.Commence Begin
24.Verify Confirm
26.Deviate Stray
27.Convey Communicate
28.Ascertain Determine
29.Elucidate Explain
30.Consequence Result
31.Elicit Draw out
32.Exemplify Illustrate
33.Initiate Begin
34.ObliterateDistroy
35.Procure Obtain
36.Reside Live
37.ImplementCarry out
38Observe Watch
39.ConstituteMake up
40.Comprehend Understand
41.Procure Get
42.Abstain Refrain
43.ConsequenceResult
44.Deem Consider
45.Frequently Often
46.Exemplify Illustrate
47.Consequently As a result
48.Utilize Use
49.Commence Begin
50.Terminate End

List of Words 50 to 100

Sr. NumFormal Words Informal Words
51.Ascertain Find out
52.Exemplify Show
53.Disseminate Spread
54.Determine Decide
55.Facilitate Ease
56.Evaluate Assess
57Subsequently Later
58Compensate Pay
59Collaborate Work together
60MitigateReduce
61.ConveyCommunicate
62.Augment Increase
63.SufficientEnough
64.Adhere to Follow
65.Cognizant of Aware of
66.Illuminate Clarify
67.Initiate Begin
68.Ameliorateimprove
69.Analyze Examine
70.Authenticate Verify
71.OptimizeImprove efficiency
72.Preclude Prevent
73.Utilization Use
74.Eradicate Eliminate
75.Facilitation Assistance
76.ProcurementAcquisition
77.Refrain from Avoid
78.Termination Ending
79.Subsequent to After
80.Consequence Result
81.Deem appropriate Consider suitable
82Dissemination Spreading
83.Comprehensive Complete
84..Foster Encourage
85.Ascertain Find out
86.Fabricate Create
87.Subsequently Later
88..Initiate Begin
89.Exemplify Illustrate
90.Facilitate Ease
91.Optimize Improve efficiency
92.Procure Acquire
93.Evaluate Assess
94.Mitigate Reduce
95..Authenticate Verify
96..Eradicate Eliminate
97.Refrain from Abstain
98.Incorporate Include
99..Convey Communicate
100.Apprehend Understand

List of Words 100 to 150

Sr. NumFormal Words Informal Words
101.Terminate End
102.Solicit Request
103.Implement Put into effect
104.Compensate Remunerate
105.Deem Consider
106.Collaborate Cooperate
107.Constitute Form
108.Optimal Best
109.Comprehensive Complete
110Affirmative Yes
111.Corroborate Confirm
112ConsequentialImportant
113.Expeditious Quick
114.Inception Beginning
115.Assimilate Absorb
116..Dissuade Discourage
117.Implement Carry out
118.Adhere to Follow
119..UtilizationUse
120.Preclude Prevent
121.Cognizant of Aware of
122.Alleviate Ease
123.Augment Increase
124.Ameliorate Iimprove
125.Pertinent Relevant
126.Circumvent Avoid
127.Elicit Draw out
128.Quantify Measure
129.Incorporate Include
130.Inaugurate Commence
131.Synchronize Coordinate
132.Sustain Maintain
133..Mitigate Lessen
134.ImplementCarry out
135.Cognizant Aware
136.Adhere to Stick to
137.Pertain to Relate to
138.Inquire Ask
139.Ascertain Find out
140Facilitate Help
141.Constitute Form
142.CollaborateWork together
143.ConveyCommunicate
144.CompensatePay
145.Pertinent Relevant
146.Quantify Measure
147.FacilitateMake easier
148.Eradicate Eliminate
149.Augment Increase
150.Elicit Draw out

List of Words 150 to 200

Sr. NumFormal Words Informal Words
151.Innovate Introduce something new
152.Ameliorate Improve
153CorroborateConfirm
154.CompensateRemunerate
155.DiscernPerceive
156.CircumventAvoid
157.ExemplifyIllustrate
158ConsequentialImportant
159.ExpediteSpeed up
160PeruseRead carefully
161.ConveyanceTransportation
162Preliminary initial
163.ReiterateRepeat
164.Undergo Experience
165.AdmonishWarn
166.Prohibit Forbid
167.EncompassInclude
168.Circumspect Cautious
169.Facet Aspect
170.Facilitation Assistance
171.Delineate Describe
172..Cognizance Awareness
173.Conveyance Transportation
174.Consummate Complete
175.Articulate Express
176.Precipitate Cause
177.Enhance Improve
178.Concomitant Accompanying
179.Redundant Repetitive
180.Deleterious Harmful
181.Pragmatic Practical
182.Alleviate Ease
183..Fabricate Create
184.Amalgamate Combine
185.Cacophony Harsh noise
186.Elicitation Extraction
187.Inception Beginning
188.Ubiquitous Everywhere
189.Pertinacious Persistent
190Obfuscate Confuse
191.Munificent Generous
192.Dearth Lack
193.Juxtapose Compare
194.Mitigating Lessening
195.Voracious Eager
196.Disseminate Spread
197.Epitome Perfect example
198.Discernment Perception
199.Conscientious Diligent
200.ExacerbateWorsen