Thesaurus

formal

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of formal

a social gathering for dancing

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

Synonyms of formal

ball, cotillion (also cotillon), dance, hop, prom

Words Related to formal

blowout, celebration, event, festival, festivity, fete (or fête), gala, masque (also mask), masquerade, mixer, party, reception, shindig, soiree (or soirée)

hoedown, square dance

formal

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of formal

1 following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules

a formal meeting of the board of directors

a formal contract that was legally binding

Synonyms of formal

ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, orthodox, regular, routine

Words Related to formal

authorized, certified, official, sanctioned

accepted, correct, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly

formalistic, ritual, ritualistic

methodical (also methodic), orderly, systematic

Near Antonyms of formal

unauthorized, unofficial

graceless, improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable

Antonyms of formal

casual, freewheeling, informal, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox

2 being something in name or form only

was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting

Synonyms of formal

nominal, paper, titular

Words Related to formal

phantom, virtual

apparent, assumed, evident, ostensible, presumed, seeming, supposed

Near Antonyms of formal

actual, real, true

3 marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details

gave her a formal invitation to dinner

Synonyms of formal

ceremonious, correct, decorous, nice, proper, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted

Words Related to formal

sober, solemn, stately

chivalrous, courtly, gallant

genteel, polished, refined

civil, courteous, polite, red-carpet

Near Antonyms of formal

improper, indecorous, unmannerly

discourteous, impolite, rude

Antonyms of formal

casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious

4 relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners

the dress code is formal for tonight's event

a shop that rents out formal wear

Synonyms of formal

Words Related to formal

costume, costumey

chic, dapper, fashionable, in, modish, natty, sharp, smart, snappy, stylish

custom-made, fitted, tailored

black-tie, evening, white-tie

Near Antonyms of formal

dowdy, outmoded, styleless, unfashionable, unstylish

frowsy (or frowzy), grungy, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy

disheveled (or dishevelled), messy, mussy, rumpled, wrinkled

Antonyms of formal

casual, informal, sportif, sporty

5 very dignified in form, tone, or style

the formal language of the coronation ceremony

Synonyms of formal

elevated, eloquent, high-flown, lofty, majestic, stately, towering

Words Related to formal

affected, bombastic, declamatory, florid, flowery, grandiloquent, grandiose, highfalutin (also hifalutin), oratorical, pompous, pretentious, rhetorical (also rhetoric), stilted

Attic, cultured, refined

classy, courtly, fine, graceful, tasteful

aristocratic, genteel, patrician

correct, educated, grammatical, proper

academic (also academical), bookish, learned, literary

Near Antonyms of formal

casual, colloquial, conversational, informal, nonformal, slangy, unbookish, unliterary, vernacular

coarse, common, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, indecent, lowbred, lowbrow, rough, rough-hewn, rude, tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, unrefined, vulgar

incorrect, substandard, uneducated, ungrammatical, unlearned

Antonyms of formal

ineloquent, low, undignified

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about formal

See words that rhyme with formal Dictionary: Definition of formal Spanish Central: Translation of formal Nglish: Translation of formal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of formal for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up formal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

whinge

to complain fretfully