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
James Suckling4
: having the appearance without the substance
formal Christians who go to church only at Easter
formalness
noun
: something (such as a dance or a dress) formal in character
Synonyms
Examples of formal in a Sentence
Noun
he asked her to the formal at the end of the year
Recent Examples on the WebJack Dunn, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
With many vintage vessels, both power and sail, now part of the global charter fleet, a growing number of charter clients are considering immersing themselves in the rich, wood interiors, eating at formal dining tables with 1930s china, or gazing out at the ocean from deck-chairs.
—Chloe Braithwaite, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
Tierney also contends that Gloria never received a formal invitation to Wednesday’s debate from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, which sponsored and organized the event.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2024
At the senior level, only 27% of women have had a formal mentor, compared to 38% of men.
—Tacy M. Byham, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
There is still no formal release date for the report, according to the press release, because some reports are still being followed up on.
—Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Here is everything to anticipate, plus our top picks from Wayfair’s Way Day Preview: the daily deals running until Way Day’s formal start date.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
But her attorneys said in court on Wednesday that the case should proceed straight to a damages hearing without discovery, the formal process of exchanging information between attorneys about witnesses and evidence.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 24 Apr. 2024
The Company previously commenced the formal strategic alternatives review process in December, 2023.
—Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024
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
Adjective
Popular on Variety The Met Gala holds a long standing tradition of guests arriving in their most extravagant formal wear.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
With many vintage vessels, both power and sail, now part of the global charter fleet, a growing number of charter clients are considering immersing themselves in the rich, wood interiors, eating at formal dining tables with 1930s china, or gazing out at the ocean from deck-chairs.
—Chloe Braithwaite, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
Tierney also contends that Gloria never received a formal invitation to Wednesday’s debate from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, which sponsored and organized the event.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2024
At the senior level, only 27% of women have had a formal mentor, compared to 38% of men.
—Tacy M. Byham, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
There is still no formal release date for the report, according to the press release, because some reports are still being followed up on.
—Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Here is everything to anticipate, plus our top picks from Wayfair’s Way Day Preview: the daily deals running until Way Day’s formal start date.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
But her attorneys said in court on Wednesday that the case should proceed straight to a damages hearing without discovery, the formal process of exchanging information between attorneys about witnesses and evidence.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 24 Apr. 2024
The Company previously commenced the formal strategic alternatives review process in December, 2023.
—Charlotte Observer, 22 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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near formal
Cite this Entry
“Formal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formal. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
formalness
noun
formal
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a dance) formal in nature
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