Formal definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

Something that is done, written, or studied in a formal way has a very ordered, organized method or style. This does not encourage the child to analyse the ... EnglishDictionary Thesaurus WordLists Grammar EnglishEasyLearningGrammar GrammarPatterns EnglishUsage TeachingResources VideoGuides Conjugations Quiz Englishgrammar Englishcollocations Englishconfusables Englishidioms Englishusage Thematicwordlists English French German Italian Spanish Portuguese Hindi Chinese Korean Definitionof 'formal'    WordFrequency Share× Credits× formal (fɔːʳməl ) Wordforms:pluralformals 1. adjective Formalspeechorbehaviourisverycorrectandseriousratherthanrelaxedandfriendly,andisusedespeciallyinofficialsituations. HewroteaveryformalletterofapologytoDouglas. Businessrelationshipsarenecessarilyabitmoreformal. Synonyms:serious,stiff,detached,aloof MoreSynonymsofformal formally adverb[ADVERBwithverb]HetookherbacktoVincentSquareinataxi,sayinggoodnightformallyonthedoorstep. formality(fɔːʳmælɪti )uncountablenounLillith'sformalityandseriousnessamusedhim. Synonyms:convention,form,conventionality,matterofform MoreSynonymsofformal Synonyms:correctness,seriousness,decorum,ceremoniousness MoreSynonymsofformal 2. adjective[ADJECTIVEnoun] Aformalaction,statement,orrequestisanofficialone. U.N.officialssaidaformalrequestwaspassedtoAmericanauthorities. Noformalannouncementhadbeenmade. ...aformalapplication. Synonyms:official,express,explicit,authorized MoreSynonymsofformal formally adverb[ADVERBwithverb]Diplomatshaven'tformallyagreedtoAnderson'splan. Theyarenowformallyseparatedandtheywillcontinuetoleadtheirownlives. 3. adjective[usuallyADJECTIVEnoun] Formaloccasionsarespecialoccasionsatwhichpeoplewearsmartclothesandbehaveaccordingtoasetofacceptedrules. Oneeveningthefilmcompanyarrangedaformaldinneraftertheplay. Synonyms:ceremonial,traditional,solemn,ritualistic MoreSynonymsofformal Formalisalsoanoun. ...awidearrayofevents,includingschoolformalsandspeechnights,weddings, andballs. 4. adjective[ADJECTIVEnoun] Formalclothesareverysmartclothesthataresuitableforformaloccasions. Theyworeordinarytiesinsteadofthemoreformalhighcollarandcravat. formally adverb[ADVERBafterverb,ADVERB-ed]Itwasreallytoowarmforhertodresssoformally. 5. gradedadjective Somethingthatisdone,written,orstudiedinaformalwayhasaveryordered,organizedmethodorstyle. Thisdoesnotencouragethechildtoanalysetheenvironmentinaformalway. ClassicGreekdramawaswritteninverse,usuallyinanelevatedandformalstyle. ...aformalmethodology. 6. adjective[ADJECTIVEnoun] Formaleducationortrainingisgivenofficially,usuallyinaschool,college,oruniversity. Althoughhisformaleducationstoppedafterprimaryschool,hewasanavidreader. Leroydidn'thaveanyformaldancetraining. Synonyms:conventional,established,traditional MoreSynonymsofformal formally adverb[ADVERB-ed]MrDawewastheancient,formallytrainedheadgardener. 7. adjective Aformalgardenorroomisarrangedinaveryregularandcontrolledway,especiallyaccordingto certainrulesofdesign. ...aformalherbgarden. TheCoronatawallpaperlendsaformalairtothediningroom. Synonyms:arranged,regular,symmetrical MoreSynonymsofformal 8. Seealsoformality MoreSynonymsofformal COBUILDAdvancedEnglishDictionary.Copyright©HarperCollinsPublishers Video:pronunciationof formal Youmayalsolike EnglishQuizConfusables Synonymsof'formal' LanguageLover'sBlog FrenchTranslationof'formal' Translateyourtext PronunciationPlaylists Wordoftheday:'aphelandra' HindiTranslationof'formal' NEWfromCollins! EnglishGrammar CollinsApps WordFrequency formalinBritishEnglish1 (ˈfɔːməl ) adjective1. of,accordingto,orfollowingestablishedorprescribedforms,conventions,etc aformaldocument 2. characterizedbyobservationofconventionalformsofceremony,behaviour,dress,etc aformaldinner 3. methodical,precise,orstiff 4. suitableforoccasionsorganizedaccordingtoconventionalceremony formaldress 5. denotinglanguagecharacterizedbyidiom,vocabulary,etc,thatisappropriatetoaddressinganunknownaudienceratherthantoinformalconversation 6. acquiredbystudyinacademicinstitutions aformaleducation 7. regularorsymmetricalinform aformalgarden 8. oforrelatingtotheappearance,form,etc,ofsomethingasdistinguishedfromitssubstance 9. logicallydeductive formalproof 10. philosophya. oforrelatingtoformasopposedtomatterorcontent b. pertainingtotheessenceornatureofsomething formalcause c. (inthewritingsofDescartes)pertainingtothecorrespondencebetweenanimageorideaanditsobject d. beingintheformalmode 11. denotingasecond-personpronouninsomelanguagesusedwhentheaddresseeisastranger,socialsuperior,etc inFrenchthepronoun'vous'isformal,while'tu'isinformal CollinsEnglishDictionary.Copyright©HarperCollinsPublishers Derivedformsformally(ˈformally)adverb formalness(ˈformalness)noun WordoriginC14:fromLatinformālis WordFrequency formalinBritishEnglish2 (ˈfɔːmæl ) nounanothernameformethylal CollinsEnglishDictionary.Copyright©HarperCollinsPublishers WordoriginC19:fromform(ic)+-al3 WordFrequency formalinAmericanEnglish (ˈfɔrməl ) adjective1.  ofexternalformorstructure,ratherthannatureorcontent 2.  oftheinternalform;relatingtotheintrinsicoressentialcharacterornature 3.  oforaccordingtoprescribedorfixedcustoms,rules,ceremonies,etc. aformalwedding 4. a.  havingtheappearanceofbeingsuitable,correct,etc.,butnotreallyso b.  stiffinmanner;notwarmorrelaxed 5. a.  designedforuseorwearatceremonies,elaborateparties,etc. formaldress b.  requiringclothesofthiskind aformaldance 6.  doneormadeinorderly,regularfashion;methodical 7.  veryregularororderlyinarrangement,pattern,etc.;rigidlysymmetrical aformalgarden 8.  doneormadeaccordingtotheformsthatmakeexplicit,definite,valid,etc. aformalcontract 9.  designatingeducationinschools,colleges,etc. 10.  designatingoroftheleveloflanguageusagecharacterizedbyexpandedvocabulary,completesyntacticconstructions,complexsentences,etc. seealsocolloquial,orinformal noun11.  aformaldanceorball 12.  awoman'seveningdress Idioms:goformal Webster’sNewWorldCollegeDictionary,4thEdition.Copyright©2010by HoughtonMifflinHarcourt.Allrightsreserved. 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