Deformalising

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of diminishing the level of formality in a setting can facilitate more open exchanges between individuals
2. The adjustment of formal standards to foster a more casual and approachable environment results in enhanced interpersonal dynamics
3. The process of making an environment or communication less formal to encourage relaxed interaction

Etymology: "Deformalising" is the British spelling of a word built from two familiar parts: the prefix "de-", which can mean "reverse" or "remove", and "formalise", which means to make something formal or official. Put together, the verb describes the removal of formality, so making a setting or a way of speaking looser and less stiff. The prefix is the older and more productive half of the story. "De-" arrived in English from Latin, where it could mean "down", "away" or "off", and over centuries English speakers attached it to existing verbs to reverse or undo their action, as in "decentralise" or "deregulate". "Deformalise" follows that pattern, taking the root "formalise" and turning it around. The "-ising" ending is simply the present participle form of the verb, used here in the same way as in "formalising" itself, where the "-ise" ending marks the verb's action.