as in formal
US
appropriate for wearing to an event of moderate formality
She wore a semiformal gown to the wedding.
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Recent Examples of semiformal
And while midi-dresses and tea-length styles are totally fine for a semiformal wedding and cocktail attire, longer hemlines are the standard for a black-tie occasion.
—
Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 2 July 2025
With its corset bodice and mermaid style, this dress is a showstopper for formal and semiformal weddings alike.
—Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Research from the wedding website the Knot, which surveyed almost 10,000 U.S. couples who got married in 2023, showed that 62 percent of couples opted for a semiformal wedding, while 54 described theirs as romantic and/or fun.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
These security officials developed a thick web of diplomatic channels, including working groups and other semiformal contacts, to smooth over their different regulatory approaches.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 9 July 2013
Worried they might be barred from the semiformal event, Pettigrew donned a jacket and Friedman wore a button-up shirt to cover their T-shirts.
—Samantha Hernandez, USA TODAY, 5 May 2023
If the invite specifies semiformal or cocktail attire, go for a dreamy puff-sleeve maxi or an ornate lace mini with a slightly relaxed fit.
—Sam Peters, harpersbazaar.com, 17 May 2023
Close your eyes for a moment and think of a person wearing head-to-toe white in a room full of others clad in semiformal attire.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2023
For her appearance on the Today show in New York City, Victoria Beckham demonstrated the absolute chicest way to update one's semiformal wardrobe for fall.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2022
Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 2 July 2025
With its corset bodice and mermaid style, this dress is a showstopper for formal and semiformal weddings alike.
—Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Research from the wedding website the Knot, which surveyed almost 10,000 U.S. couples who got married in 2023, showed that 62 percent of couples opted for a semiformal wedding, while 54 described theirs as romantic and/or fun.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
These security officials developed a thick web of diplomatic channels, including working groups and other semiformal contacts, to smooth over their different regulatory approaches.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 9 July 2013
Worried they might be barred from the semiformal event, Pettigrew donned a jacket and Friedman wore a button-up shirt to cover their T-shirts.
—Samantha Hernandez, USA TODAY, 5 May 2023
If the invite specifies semiformal or cocktail attire, go for a dreamy puff-sleeve maxi or an ornate lace mini with a slightly relaxed fit.
—Sam Peters, harpersbazaar.com, 17 May 2023
Close your eyes for a moment and think of a person wearing head-to-toe white in a room full of others clad in semiformal attire.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2023
For her appearance on the Today show in New York City, Victoria Beckham demonstrated the absolute chicest way to update one's semiformal wardrobe for fall.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semiformal
Adjective
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Developing intuition, understanding how the business and industry works and understanding how to navigate within an organization are all skills that only come from getting a few years of experience or through formal training.—
Larry English,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Avoiding formal termination also helps companies sidestep severance packages and legal risk.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Automate routine tasks, digitize manual workflows and use low-code platforms to build tailored applications that eliminate the need for scattered point solutions.—
Amit Mathradas,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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The front seams give the pants a tailored look, and my favorite detail is the front slits at the bottom.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semiformal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semiformal. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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