formal

1 of 3

adjective (1)

for·​mal ˈfȯr-məl 

1

a

: belonging to or constituting the form or essence of a thing

formal cause

b

: relating to or involving the outward form, structure, relationships, or arrangement of elements rather than content

formal logic

a formal style of painting

a formal approach to comparative linguistics

2

a

: following or according with established form, custom, or rule

lacked formal schooling

a formal dinner party

formal attire

b

: done in due or lawful form

a formal contract

received formal recognition

3

a

: characterized by punctilious respect for form : methodical

very formal in all his dealings

b

: rigidly ceremonious : prim

the ambience was overly formal, everyone but me was wearing a suit and tie

—James Suckling

4

: having the appearance without the substance

formal Christians who go to church only at Easter

formally

ˈfȯr-mə-lē 

adverb

formalness noun

formal

2 of 3

noun

: something (such as a dance or a dress) formal in character

formal

3 of 3

adjective (2)

: molar entry 3

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• ceremonial
• ceremonious
• conventional
• orthodox
• regular
• routine

Noun

• ball
• cotillion
• cotillon
• dance
• hop
• prom

Choose the Right Synonym for formal

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms.

ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies

a ceremonial offering

, ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report

the headmaster's formal manner

conventional implies accord with general custom and usage

conventional courtesy

and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional fiction

Examples of formal in a Sentence

Noun

he asked her to the formal at the end of the year

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This elegant jumpsuit proves that the style can be dressy enough for formal events while still being no-fuss to pack. —Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2024

Martin’s job has been to produce the theater’s 2024 summer mainstage season and other theatrical projects while the Rep opens a formal search for a permanent artistic chief. —Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 14 Apr. 2024

The formal charge and complaint were announced a day after The New York Times reported that Mizuhara and his lawyer, Michael Freedman, a former prosecutor who specializes in white-collar criminal defense, were negotiating a plea deal. —Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

In Glendale's reports to the PSC, city staff invoked outage data to make the case for the commission to launch a formal investigation. —Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024

So even as the formal economy collapses, the military has found ways to continue financing its war effort, Horsey said. —Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

While the Texas Nursing Board has also filed formal charges against Rupp-Jones, for now she is still allowed to practice as a registered nurse, documents from the board confirm. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024

One of those ways is the London Screenings, a less formal setup held in late February where producers do slate presentations for international buyers. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Apr. 2024

Instead of a formal dining room, a circular glass table with seating for 10 sits at the end of the salon. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024

Noun

Hell's Kitchen; Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's exploration of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos' rise and fall in the Philippines; and the adaptation of the 2015 documentary How to Dance in Ohio, about a group of teenagers with autism preparing for a spring formal. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024

Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal. —Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024

The Delta Chi fraternity member, who attends the University of Missouri, had traveled to Tennessee with the group for their annual spring formal, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024

Prom season and fall formals bring avalanches of corsage, boutonniere and wristlet orders. —Debbie Arrington, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024

The teen was on an outing with several other couples to celebrate her school’s winter formal, KSL TV reported. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 24 Jan. 2024

The show, which premiered at Syracuse Stage last year, is based on Alexandra Shiva’s 2015 HBO documentary about a group counseling center in Columbus, Ohio, where autistic young adults prepare for a spring formal. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 11 Dec. 2023

Set at Amigo Family Counseling, a real Columbus mental health center for autistic people, the film, by Alexandra Shiva, highlights the experiences of several clients preparing for a spring formal. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Dec. 2023

Min was class president all four years of high school and elected king of the winter formal. —Matt Stevens, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1) and Noun

Middle English, from Latin formalis, from forma

Adjective (2)

formula + -al entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

formal

1 of 2 adjective

for·​mal ˈfȯr-məl 

1

: of, relating to, or being the form of something rather than content

2

a

: following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rule

a formal education

b

: relating to, suitable for, or being an event requiring elegant dress and manners

a formal ball

formal dress

3

: done in due or lawful form

a formal contract

formally

-mə-lē 

adverb

formalness noun

formal

2 of 2 noun

: something (as a dance) formal in nature

Legal Definition

formal

adjective

for·​mal

1

: relating to or involving outward form, structure, or arrangement rather than content

a formal defect in the pleadings

2

: requiring special or established solemnities or formalities especially in order to be effective or valid under the law

received formal notice

a formal criminal charge

3

: being such only as a matter of form : nominal

a formal party to a lawsuit