Formal Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Legal Definition of formal · 1 : relating to or involving outward form, structure, or arrangement rather than content a formal defect in the pleadings · 2 : ... Login SignUp Hello, Games&Quizzes Thesaurus WordoftheDay Features BuyingGuide M-WBooks MyWordsMyWords ViewRecents Account LogOut formal adjective(1) SaveWord for·​mal |\ˈfȯr-məl \ Definitionofformal (Entry1of3) 1a :belongingtoorconstitutingtheformoressenceofathing formalcause b :relatingtoorinvolvingtheoutwardform,structure,relationships,orarrangementofelementsratherthancontent formallogicaformalstyleofpaintingaformalapproachtocomparativelinguistics 2a :followingoraccordingwithestablishedform,custom,orrule lackedformalschoolingaformaldinnerpartyformalattire b :doneindueorlawfulform aformalcontractreceivedformalrecognition 3a :characterizedbypunctiliousrespectforform:methodical veryformalinallhisdealings b :rigidlyceremonious:prim theambiencewasoverlyformal,everyonebutmewaswearingasuitandtie—JamesSuckling 4 :havingtheappearancewithoutthesubstance formalChristianswhogotochurchonlyatEaster formal noun Definitionofformal (Entry2of3) :something(suchasadanceoradress)formalincharacter formal adjective(2) Definitionofformal (Entry3of3) :molarentry3 OtherWordsfromformal Synonyms&Antonyms ChoosetheRightSynonym ExampleSentences LearnMoreAboutformal OtherWordsfromformal Adjective(1) formally \ ˈfȯr-​mə-​lē \ adverb formalness noun Synonyms&Antonymsforformal Synonyms:Adjective(1) ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, orthodox, regular, routine Synonyms:Noun ball, cotillion (alsocotillon), dance, hop, prom Antonyms:Adjective(1) casual, freewheeling, informal, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox VisittheThesaurusforMore  ChoosetheRightSynonymforformal Adjective(1) ceremonial,ceremonious,formal,conventionalmeanmarkedbyattentiontooradheringstrictlytoprescribedforms.ceremonialandceremoniousbothimplystrictattentiontowhatisprescribedbycustomorbyritual,butceremonialappliestothingsthatareassociatedwithceremonies aceremonialoffering ,ceremonioustopersonsgiventoceremonyortoactsattendedbyceremony. madehisceremoniousentrance formalappliesbothtothingsprescribedbyandtopersonsobedienttocustomandmaysuggeststiff,restrained,orold-fashionedbehavior. aformalreport theheadmaster'sformalmanner conventionalimpliesaccordwithgeneralcustomandusage conventionalcourtesy andmaysuggestastodgylackoforiginalityorindependence. conventionalfiction ExamplesofformalinaSentence Noun heaskedhertotheformalattheendoftheyear FirstKnownUseofformal Adjective(1) 14thcentury,inthemeaningdefinedatsense1aNoun 1605,inthemeaningdefinedaboveAdjective(2) circa1934,inthemeaningdefinedabove HistoryandEtymologyforformal Adjective(1)andNoun MiddleEnglish,fromLatinformalis,fromforma Adjective(2) formula+-alentry1 LearnMoreAboutformal Shareformal PosttheDefinitionofformaltoFacebook SharetheDefinitionofformalonTwitter TimeTravelerforformal Thefirstknownuseofformalwas inthe14thcentury Seemorewordsfromthesamecentury DictionaryEntriesNearformal formagen formal formalcause SeeMoreNearbyEntries  Statisticsforformal Look-upPopularity CitethisEntry “Formal.”Merriam-Webster.comDictionary,Merriam-Webster,https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formal.Accessed8Jan.2022. Style:MLA MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster MoreDefinitionsforformal formal noun EnglishLanguageLearnersDefinitionofformal :asocialgathering(suchasadance)thatrequiresformaldressandmanners:aformalevent formal adjective for·​mal |\ˈfȯr-məl \ KidsDefinitionofformal (Entry1of2) 1 :followingestablishedform,custom,orrule Shewroteaformalapology. 2 :acquiredbyattendingclassesinaschool aformaleducation 3 :requiringproperclothingandmanners aformaldance 4 :suitableforaproperoccasion formalattire OtherWordsfromformal formally adverb formal noun KidsDefinitionofformal (Entry2of2) :asocialgatheringthatrequiresproperclothingandbehavior formal adjective for·​mal Legal Definitionofformal 1 :relatingtoorinvolvingoutwardform,structure,orarrangementratherthancontent aformaldefectinthepleadings 2 :requiringspecialorestablishedsolemnitiesorformalitiesespeciallyinordertobeeffectiveorvalidunderthelaw receivedformalnoticeaformalcriminalcharge 3 :beingsuchonlyasamatterofform:nominal aformalpartytoalawsuit MorefromMerriam-Websteronformal Nglish:TranslationofformalforSpanishSpeakers BritannicaEnglish:TranslationofformalforArabicSpeakers WORDOFTHEDAY layman SeeDefinitionsandExamples» GetWordoftheDaydailyemail! 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