formal

1 of 3

adjective (1)

for·​mal ˈfȯr-məl How to pronounce formal (audio)
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 tieJames Suckling
4
: having the appearance without the substance
formal Christians who go to church only at Easter
formally 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)

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
Passages from the Haggadah, a formal Hebrew text, is also read during Seder, which retells the salvation and redemption of the ancient Israelites. Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 Last month, after being imprisoned for over two years without formal charges, the 17 Colombians were among dozens of individuals in Haiti indicted by an investigative judge in the assassination plot. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Art had made a formal shirt for me with a spread collar back in 2022, monogrammed with my initials on the cuff. Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Next week, beginning March 11, is planned as a caucus week, where both parties will only meet amongst themselves before making a formal return to general negotiations on March 18. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The potential formal alliance of the organizations arrives with the backdrop a big slump in the pace of job gains in the Bay Area as well as outright job losses for the region’s all-important tech industry. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 But not every perpetrator of violence belongs to a formal group. Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024 Nearby, the formal dining room is decked out with backlit Italian quartzite wall panels behind floating glass shelves, another stone fireplace, and a high-gloss lacquered ceiling with ornamental antique molding. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 Often, the additional requests asked the chatbot to provide more specific examples, expand on its ideas or use a less formal tone. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024
Noun
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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of formal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near formal

Cite this Entry

“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

formal

1 of 2 adjective
for·​mal ˈfȯr-məl How to pronounce formal (audio)
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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on formal

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