Dictionary of Informal Words: Vocabulary Building

Book excerpt: What are “Informal Words?” Informal Words are connected with normal communication with your colleagues, acquaintances, family members, etc. Informal words are more common in speech than in writing. Informal words are used in the ‘unofficial’ language. These words are not used in ‘official’ or formal writing. This book covers around 1400 Informal words (including the names of parts of speech they belong to) and their meanings NOTE: Many informal words are used in both American and British English in the same way. However, some informal words are particularly used in American English only. Similarly, some informal words are particularly used in British English only. Sample This: Informal Words– A A1 [adjective] -- very good abs [noun] -- the muscles of the abdomen ace [adjective | noun] -- very good | number one achy [adjective] -- affected by an uninterrupted pain that is small in degree ack-ack [noun] -- the non-stop firing of guns at aircraft ad [noun] -- advertisement adman [noun] -- a person who works in advertising or promotion adore [verb] -- to be very fond of something aggravate [verb] -- to intentionally irritate somebody a gogo [adjective] -- in large quantities airhead [noun] -- an unintelligent or stupid person all [adverb] -- enormously allergic [adjective] -- having an aversion to somebody/something all right [adverb] -- used to emphasize something almighty [adjective] -- enormous or severe alphabet soup [noun] -- an extremely difficult language with abbreviations or symbols ammo [noun] -- ammunition [supply of bullets, etc; very important information for argument] amp [noun] -- amplifier [a type of electrical device] appalling [adjective] -- extremely bad or poor arm candy [noun] -- a beautiful woman accompanied by a man in a public event arm-twisting [noun] -- the use of physical power or great pressure to convince somebody to do something artsy (arty) [adjective] -- enormously interested in the arts artsy-fartsy (arty-farty) [adjective] -- connected with the arts Aussie [noun] -- a person or native of Australia awful [adjective] -- very bad | used to emphasize a large quantity or sum of something ax (axe) [verb] -- to kill somebody with an ax (axe) | to get rid of a scheme, service, system, etc. | to dismiss somebody from their job *********** INFORMAL WORDS -- Particularly Used In AMERICAN ENGLISH: ace [verb] -- to be successful all-nighter [noun] -- a time when somebody stays awake all night, mainly for studying ambulance chaser [noun] -- a lawyer connected with cases of accident claims amped [adjective] -- excited antsy [adjective] -- unable to keep still any [adverb] -- ‘at all’ [used at the end of negative sentences] A-OK [adjective] -- in satisfactory or perfect condition, manner or style. attaboy / attagirl [exclamation] -- used to admire or encourage a boy or man/girl or woman awesome [adjective] -- first-rate, excellent or pleasurable awful [adverb] -- extremely or enormously INFORMAL WORDS -- Particularly Used In BRITISH ENGLISH: admin [noun] -- Administration [activities connected with organizing something] afters [noun] -- a sweet dish that is eaten after a meal ages -- [noun] a very long time aggro [noun] -- cruel, hostile and aggressive behavior airy-fairy [adjective] -- impractical, unreasonable, unclear all right [exclamation] -- used to say hello all-singing, all-dancing [adjective] -- (of a machine) having advanced features anorak [noun] -- a boring person who is very fond of learning facts or collecting things appro [noun] -- on approval [connected with shopping activities] argy-bargy [noun] -- noisy argument or difference of opinions