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formal

for·mal
F f

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [fawr-muh l]
    • /ˈfɔr məl/
    • /ˈfɔːml/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [fawr-muh l]
    • /ˈfɔr məl/

Definitions of formal word

  • adjective formal being in accordance with the usual requirements, customs, etc.; conventional: to pay one's formal respects. 1
  • adjective formal marked by form or ceremony: a formal occasion. 1
  • adjective formal designed for wear or use at occasions or events marked by elaborate ceremony or prescribed social observance: The formal attire included tuxedos and full-length gowns. 1
  • adjective formal requiring a type of dress suitable for such occasions: a formal dance. 1
  • adjective formal observant of conventional requirements of behavior, procedure, etc., as persons; ceremonious. 1
  • adjective formal excessively ceremonious: a manner that was formal and austere. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of formal

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English formal, formel < Latin fōrmālis. See form, -al1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Formal

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

formal popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

formal usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for formal

adj formal

  • precise — definitely or strictly stated, defined, or fixed: precise directions.
  • academic — Academic is used to describe things that relate to the work done in schools, colleges, and universities, especially work which involves studying and reasoning rather than practical or technical skills.
  • solemn — grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood: solemn remarks.
  • legal — permitted by law; lawful: Such acts are not legal.
  • strict — characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles: a strict observance of rituals.

verb formal

  • identify — to recognize or establish as being a particular person or thing; verify the identity of: to identify handwriting; to identify the bearer of a check.

adjective formal

  • stiff — rigid or firm; difficult or impossible to bend or flex: a stiff collar.
  • correct — If something is correct, it is in accordance with the facts and has no mistakes.
  • smart — having or showing quick intelligence or ready mental capability: a smart student.
  • affected — If you describe someone's behaviour as affected, you disapprove of the fact that they behave in an unnatural way that is intended to impress other people.
  • exact — Not approximated in any way; precise.

noun formal

  • formalwear — clothing designed for or customarily worn on formal occasions, as tuxedos and evening gowns.
  • casuals — informal articles of clothing or footwear
  • clothes — Clothes are the things that people wear, such as shirts, coats, trousers, and dresses.
  • bedclothes — Bedclothes are the sheets and covers which you put over yourself when you get into bed.
  • dance — If you dance a particular kind of dance, you do it or perform it.

Antonyms for formal

adj formal

  • ambiguous — If you describe something as ambiguous, you mean that it is unclear or confusing because it can be understood in more than one way.
  • inaccurate — not accurate; incorrect or untrue.
  • indefinite — not definite; without fixed or specified limit; unlimited: an indefinite number.
  • informal — without formality or ceremony; casual: an informal visit.
  • customary — Customary is used to describe things that people usually do in a particular society or in particular circumstances.

Top questions with formal

  • how to write a formal letter?
  • what is semi formal?
  • what does formal mean?
  • how to calculate formal charge?
  • how to find formal charge?
  • how to write a formal email?
  • what is formal attire?
  • what is semi formal attire?
  • what does semi formal mean?
  • what to wear to a fraternity formal?
  • what is a formal region?
  • how is free verse different from formal verse?
  • how to find the formal charge?
  • how to address a formal email?
  • how is federalism represented in the formal amendment process?

See also

Matching words

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