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1. Dictionary

   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

   • F

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   • R

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   • M

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   • A

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2. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com · formalformal adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com · formal

   

   formal legal processes; to make a formal complaint; There has been no formal announcement of her resignation yet. There followed a formal request for military aid. Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were re-established in December. It is time to put these arrangements on a slightly more formal basis.

3. People also ask

   What does formal mean?

   • 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…. Learn more.

   FORMAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

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

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   What is a formal adjective?

   • Definition of formal adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (of a style of dress, speech, writing, behaviour, etc.) very correct and suitable for official or important occasions The dinner was a formal affair. He kept the tone of the letter formal and businesslike. His manner was stiffly formal.

   formal adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/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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   Where did the word formal come from?

   • The earliest known use of the word formal is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for formal is from around 1386, in the writing of Geoffrey Chaucer, poet and administrator. formal is a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin formālis.

   formal, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English Dictio…

   www.oed.com/dictionary/formal_adj

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com · formal

   

   1 (of a style of dress, speech, writing, behavior, etc.) very correct and suitable for official or important occasions formal evening wear The dinner was very formal. He kept the tone of the letter formal and businesslike. She has a very formal manner, which can seem unfriendly. opposite informal

5. www.dictionary.com · browse · formalFORMAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com · browse · formal

   

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

6. dictionary.cambridge.org · learner-english · formalFORMAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org · learner-english · formal

   

   FORMAL definition: 1. used about clothes, language, and behaviour that are serious and not friendly or relaxed: 2…. Learn more.

7. www.oed.com · dictionary · formal_adjformal, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...

   www.oed.com · dictionary · formal_adj

   

   There are 25 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word formal, ten of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. formal has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. philosophy (Middle English) physiology (Middle English) literature (late 1500s) costume (late 1500s) medicine ...

8. en.thefreedictionary.com · formalFormal - definition of formal by The Free Dictionary

   en.thefreedictionary.com · formal

   

   Define formal. formal synonyms, formal pronunciation, formal translation, English dictionary definition of formal. adj. 1. a. Relating to or involving outward form or structure, often in contrast to content or meaning.

9. en.wiktionary.org · wiki · formalformal - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org · wiki · formal

   

   Aug 19, 2024 · Organized; well - structured and planned. When they became a formal club the rowers built a small boathouse. (especially sciences, mathematics, linguistics) In accordance with a methodological framework with well-defined rules or laws; rigorous. A set of words can be formal cognates only if they can be derived from a common ancestor by regular ...