formal

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Following accepted rules and customs, as in serious or official settings.

   Grammar: Describes events, language and behavior: a formal dinner.

   Patterns

   • a formal something

   The wedding was a formal affair.

   He wrote a formal letter of complaint.

   Please use formal language in the report.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Official and made according to proper procedure.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun: a formal request, a formal offer.

   Patterns

   • a formal offer

   The company made a formal offer on Monday.

   She filed a formal complaint.

   They signed a formal agreement.

3. 3adjectivecomparable

   Suitable for serious occasions, especially of clothes.

   Grammar: Used for dress: formal wear.

   Patterns

   • formal wear

   The invitation asked for formal dress.

   He changed into formal clothes for the ceremony.

   A tuxedo is formal attire.

4. 4adjectivebefore a noun

   Following structured or recognized training, rather than informal learning.

   Grammar: Used about education: formal education.

   Patterns

   • formal training
   • formal education

   She had little formal education.

   He never received formal training in music.

   The job requires a formal qualification.

5. 5adjectivecomparable

   Reserved, stiff or distant in manner.

   Grammar: Describes people: a formal manner.

   Patterns

   • formal in manner

   His manner was polite but formal.

   They stayed formal with each other despite years of friendship.

   She seemed formal and cold at first.

Word forms

Common combinations

formal education

He left school with little formal education.

formal dress

Formal dress is required for the gala.

formal complaint

She made a formal complaint to the manager.

formal invitation

A formal invitation arrived in the mail.

formal language

Contracts use formal language.

formal announcement

The formal announcement is due tomorrow.

Synonyms and how they differ

official

Refers to something done by an authority, whereas formal refers to style and procedure.

ceremonial

Is tied to a ritual or ceremony, and is narrower.

stiff

Describes manner that lacks warmth, and is more critical than formal.

proper

Stresses meeting accepted standards of behavior.

Opposites

Word family

formality noun

strict observance of rules, or a required procedure

formally adverb

in a formal or official way

formalize verb

to make official

informal adjective

relaxed and unofficial

Commonly confused: formal or formerly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “formal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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