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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Just last year, California Olive Ranch became the first company in North America to receive formal regenerative certification from A Greener World for over 4,600 acres on their own ranches.—
Esha Chhabra,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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As of yet, however, there has been no formal bid, which effectively means limbo.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Lakshmi's first-ever rug collection with Rugs USA just launched, and it's got something for everybody—whether your preferred look is plush and creamy, tailored and neutral, or all about spice tones and global patterns.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 July 2025
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Available in petite sizing, in addition to regular and tall, these pants have a relaxed yet tailored fit that’s easy to dress up or down.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Semiformal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semiformal. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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