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
But don’t worry, ladies, Mel is wearing some semiformal recovery slip-ons.
—
Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
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
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
Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semiformal
Adjective
-
As evidenced, efforts can culminate in formal events for strategizing and bolstering membership.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Oct. 2025
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Wyatt’s pointed use of stark silence to enhance some of the tense moments before battles break out is an effective formal choice that, without the use of slow motion, produces the feeling of time moving differently, making the viewer hyper-aware of what may come.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, the staff was impeccably outfitted in tailored pieces, watches, and stiletto heels.—
Abbey Hudetz,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
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As part of these contracts, TVA’s Power Service Shops in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, are assisting in the development of tailored welding and fabrication techniques for a smaller stellarator testbed known as Infinity One.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semiformal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semiformal. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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