formal
Adjective:
- Following established rules, customs, or conventions: Used to describe something that is done in accordance with official or traditional procedures, often characterized by seriousness and politeness.
- Suitable for serious or official occasions: Describing language, behavior, or dress that is appropriate for events or situations that are not casual.
- Relating to outward form or structure: Pertaining to the arrangement, appearance, or official nature of something rather than its content or practical function.
Noun:
- An event requiring formal attire: A social occasion, such as a dance or dinner, where elegant, traditional evening wear is expected.
- Evening gown: A type of long, elegant dress worn to formal events.
Adjective:
- The ambassador made a formal protest to the government. (The protest was made through official diplomatic channels.)
- Please use formal language in your academic essay. (The language should be standard, correct, and not casual or slang.)
- The invitation stated formal dress was required for the gala. (Attendees were expected to wear tuxedos or evening gowns.)
- There is only a formal similarity between the two systems; they function very differently. (The similarity is in structure or appearance, not in essence.)
Noun:
- She bought a beautiful new formal for the winter ball. (She bought a new evening gown.)
- The university formal is held at the end of each semester. (The university holds a formal dance event.)
"Formal logic": A branch of logic concerned with the structure and form of valid inference, using symbolic notation.
- The course in formal logic focuses on deductive reasoning using symbols.
"Formal education": Learning that occurs within an organized and structured context (like a school or university) and is officially recognized.
- His formal education ended after high school, but he continued to learn through experience.
"Formal agreement": An agreement that is officially documented and binding.
- The two companies signed a formal agreement to merge.
Formality (n): 1. The quality of being formal. 2. A requirement of custom or rule, often one that is routine.
- The signing ceremony was just a formality; the deal was already agreed upon.
Formalize (v): To make something official or valid by following a formal procedure.
- They decided to formalize their partnership with a written contract.
Formally (adv): In a formal manner.
- The treaty was formally ratified by parliament.
Informal (adj): The opposite of formal; relaxed, casual, not following official rules.
- Adjective: Ceremonial, official, conventional, ceremonial, dressy (for attire), starchy, precise.
- Noun: Gown, evening dress, black-tie event, ball.
- Adjective: Informal, casual, relaxed, unofficial, colloquial.
"Formal proceedings": Official actions, especially in a legal or parliamentary context.
- The judge opened the formal proceedings of the court.
"In name/form only": Existing as a formality but having no real power or significance. (This relates to the "merely formal" sense.)
- His leadership role was in name only; he had no real authority.
"Pay one's formal respects": To express respect or offer condolences in a conventional, official way.
- He went to the funeral to pay his formal respects to the family.
- refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
- a courtly gentleman
- logically deductive
- formal proof
- represented in simplified or symbolic form
- (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms
- the paper was written in formal English
- characteristic of or befitting a person in authority
- formal duties
- an official banquet
- being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
- pay one's formal respects
- formal dress
- a formal ball
- the requirement was only formal and often ignored
- a formal education
- a gown for evening wear
- a lavish dance requiring formal attire