formal

B1 · Intermediate Law Formal

adj. officially recognized or made legal through a set process.

adj. having a recognized, legal, or official status through a prescribed procedure.

“The two companies have not yet signed a formal agreement.”

“The board of directors issued a formal statement regarding the merger to reassure the shareholders of the company's long-term stability.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Academic

adj. following a clear structure or a set of logical rules.

adj. relating to the structure, form, or logical framework of something rather than its content.

“The student used a formal method to solve the math problem.”

“The researcher employed a formal logic framework to ensure the conclusions were mathematically sound and reproducible by other teams.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a dance or party where people wear very smart clothes.

n. a social event, such as a dance or dinner, that requires a formal dress code.

“She bought a beautiful new dress for the winter formal.”

“The university's annual winter formal was held in the grand ballroom, attracting hundreds of students in black-tie attire.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a long, elegant dress worn to a special event.

n. an elegant evening gown or dress suitable for formal occasions.

“The shop specializes in selling formals for high school proms.”

“The boutique displayed a collection of silk formals in the window, each hand-beaded for the upcoming gala season.”