formal
Noun pluralformals
Pluralformals
- 1Following strict rules of polite behavior, and not relaxed or casual.
Like being on your best behavior and using your best words at a special event.
We had to use formal manners at the fancy dinner.
His formal greeting felt stiff and overly polite.
Similarproper, correct, conventional, dressy, ceremonious
- 2Official, with proper approval from someone in charge.
Like getting a signed permission slip instead of just asking.
The company sent a formal apology to its customers.
We need formal permission before we can start.
Similarofficial, authorized, approved
Oppositeinformal, unofficial
- 3Following the set ways that things are usually done.
Like following the steps of a recipe in the right order.
The wedding followed a formal order of events.
They used the formal way of opening the ceremony.
Similarofficial, prescribed, proper, standard, regular
Oppositeinformal, unofficial, irregular
Note
- 4Used for special ceremonies or following old customs.
Like the special clothes and steps used at a wedding.
The soldiers wore formal uniforms for the parade.
A formal ceremony marked the start of the new year.
Similarceremonial, ritual, traditional, solemn, stately
- 5Well-organized and planned out carefully.
Like a planned timetable instead of doing things whenever.
The class follows a formal lesson plan each week.
She wants a formal schedule for the project.
Similarstructured, organized, systematic, methodical, planned
Oppositeinformal, unstructured, haphazard, casual
- 6
- 7About the shape or structure of something.
Like looking at the shape of a vase instead of what's inside it.
We studied the formal features of the poem, like its rhyme.
The artist cared about the formal parts of the painting, such as shape and line.
Similarstructural, stylistic, compositional
- 8Using strict, exact rules to show that something is correct.
Like solving a puzzle by following exact rules, step by step.
The teacher gave a formal proof for the math rule.
Scientists used a formal method to test the idea.
Similarrigorous, strict, precise, exact, axiomatic
Oppositeinformal, intuitive, heuristic
Note
- 9
- 10About working with symbols by their shape and rules, not their meaning.
Like moving chess pieces by the rules without caring what they stand for.
In this formal system, you move the symbols by the rules alone.
The game uses a formal set of steps with no meaning attached.
Note
- 11About how something is formed or made.
Like studying how a snowflake takes shape as it forms.
The teacher explained the formal stages of a star.
We looked at the formal steps that make a crystal.
Similarformative, developmental
- 12A name used in a program for a value that will be given later.
Like a blank space on a form that gets filled in later.
Each formal in the function gets a value when you call it.
The first formal stands for the number you pass in.
Similarparameter
Note
- 13Short for formal hall, a formal dinner at some British colleges, such as at Oxford or Cambridge.
We're going to formal tonight, so wear your gown.
She booked a table at formal for her birthday.
Note
- 14A strong liquid used to keep dead bodies or samples from rotting.
Like a strong liquid that stops things from rotting away.
The lab stored the samples in formal.
They used formal to preserve the specimen.
Similarformalin
Note
- 15A kind of chemical compound made from formaldehyde.
The chemist made a formal by reacting the alcohol with formaldehyde.
This formal is used as a solvent in the factory.
Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin fōrma meaning "form," which gave Latin fōrmālis. English took it through Old French formel and Middle English formel.