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   For·mal

   /ˈfôrm(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. done in accordance with rules of convention or etiquette; suitable for or constituting an official or important situation or occasion: "a formal dinner party" Similar ceremonialceremoniousritualisticritualconventionaltraditionalorthodoxprescribedfixedsetstatelycourtlysolemndignifiedelaborateornatedressyOpposite informal
   • ▪ (of a person or their manner) prim or stiff: "he is formal in manner and clothing" Similar aloofreservedremotedetachedunapproachablestandoffishkeeping people at arm's lengthstiffprimstuffystaidceremoniouscorrectproperdecorousconventionalpreciseexactpunctiliousunbendinginflexiblestrait-lacedunresponsiveunfriendlyunsympathetichaughtyforbiddingausterewithdrawnrestrainedreticenttaciturnuncommunicativeundemonstrativeunforthcomingunsocialantisocialOpposite informalcasual
   • ▪ of or denoting a style of writing or public speaking characterized by more elaborate grammatical structures and more conservative and technical vocabulary. Similar literaryscholarlylearnedintellectualeruditebookishhighbrowacademiccultivatedOpposite informalcolloquial
   • ▪ (especially of a house or garden) arranged in a regular, classical, and symmetrical manner.
   • 2. officially sanctioned or recognized: "a formal complaint" Similar officiallegalauthorizedapprovedvalidatedcertifiedendorseddocumentedsanctionedlicensedrecognizedauthoritativeacceptedverifiedlegitimatelawfulvalidbona fideproperprescribedpro formaOpposite informalunofficial
   • ▪ having a conventionally recognized form, structure, or set of rules: "he had little formal education" Similar symmetricalregularorderlyarrangedmethodicalsystematicin straight linesregimentedconventionalmainstreamrigidschoolinstitutionalOpposite informalinformal
   • 3. of or concerned with outward form or appearance, especially as distinct from content or matter: "I don't know enough about art to appreciate the purely formal qualities"
   • ▪ having the form or appearance without the spirit: "his sacrifice will be more formal than real"
   • ▪ relating to linguistic or logical form as opposed to function or meaning.

   noun

   • 1. an evening gown: North American "cocktail parties every night so the ladies can show off their formals"
   • ▪ an occasion on which evening dress is worn: North American "the college will be hosting their annual formal on February 6"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin formalis, from forma ‘shape, mold’ (see form).

   Scrabble Points: 11

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2. People also ask

   What does formal mean?

   • (Definition of formal from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) 正式的, 公開的, 形式上的… 正式的, 公开的, 形式上的… formal, oficial, formal [masculine-feminine]… formal… Need a translator? Get a quick, free translation! FORMAL definition: 1. used about clothes, language, and behaviour that are serious and not friendly or relaxed: 2….

   FORMAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/learner-english/formal

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   What does Formel mean in English?

   • From Middle English formel, borrowed from Old French formel, from Latin fōrmālis, from fōrma (“form”); see form . formal ( comparative more formal, superlative most formal) Being in accord with established forms . She spoke formal English, without any dialect. Official . I'd like to make a formal complaint.

   formal - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org/wiki/formal

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   What is formal language?

   • You might think of formal language as the snappy blazer to informal writing’s t-shirt. It’s more serious, and features more buttoned-up construction, longer words, and little to no slang. A professional might use it to write a cover letter, business proposal, white paper, or legal brief.

   Formal vs. Informal Writing: A Complete Guide - Grammarly

   www.grammarly.com/blog/formal-vs-informal-writing/

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   What is the plural of formal?

   • formal m or n (feminine singular formală, masculine plural formali, feminine and neuter plural formale) Borrowed from Latin formālis . formal m or f (masculine and feminine plural formales)

   formal - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org/wiki/formal

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3. www.dictionary.com › browse › formalFORMAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › formal

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   Formal definition: being in accordance with the usual requirements, customs, etc.; conventional. See examples of FORMAL used in a sentence.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › formalformal adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › formal

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   Definition of formal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › formalFORMAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › formal

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   used about clothes, language, and behaviour that are serious and not friendly or relaxed: a formal dinner party. Fewer examples. formal dress. British people are often perceived as being very formal. He sounded very formal. She spoke in a very formal manner. The dinner was a formal affair.

6. www.grammarly.com › blog › formal-vs-informal-writingFormal vs. Informal Writing: A Complete Guide - Grammarly

   www.grammarly.com › blog › formal-vs-informal-writing

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   • What’s Informal Language?
   • Define Formal Language
   • How Do I Tell Which Style Is Appropriate?

   Informal language is how you communicate with people you know well and can relax around. It tends to resemble the way people converse out loud more than formal writing does, and it may feature more contractions (“they’re” instead of “they are”) as well as slang, abbreviations, and expressions of emotion—even exclamations! As an example, you might u...

   See full list on grammarly.com

   You might think of formal language as the snappy blazer to informal writing’s t-shirt. It’s more serious, and features more buttoned-up construction, longer words, and little to no slang. A professional might use it to write acover letter, business proposal, white paper, or legal brief. Formal writing tends to use abbreviations only after first spe...

   See full list on grammarly.com

   Deciding when to use formal language and when it’s better to write informally goes back to the question of who your audience is. For example, if you’re writing to a prospective client, you want to seem professional, so your writing might err on the side of formality. You don’t want your casual manner to give the impression that you wouldn’t take th...

   See full list on grammarly.com

7. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › formalformal - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org › wiki › formal

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   6 days ago · formal (comparative more formal, superlative most formal) Being in accord with established forms.

8. www.wordsmyth.netformal | Dictionaries and vocabulary tools for English ...

   www.wordsmyth.net

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   Definition of formal. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › formalFORMAL definition | Cambridge Essential American Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › formal

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   FORMAL meaning: 1. used about clothes, language, and behavior that are serious or very polite: 2. public or…. Learn more.