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formal

adj. · n.
US //ˈfɔɹməɫ// UK //fˈɔːməl// for·mal
  1. 1 serious or official (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    used for serious or official situations where you must follow strict rules.

    relating to official or serious occasions where strict adherence to rules or etiquette is required.

    Example

    You should wear a formal suit to the job interview tomorrow.

    Example

    The ambassador received a formal invitation to the state dinner, requiring a response within forty-eight hours.
  2. 2 official or legal (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Formal Law

    officially recognized or made legal through a set process.

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

    Example

    The two companies have not yet signed a formal agreement.

    Example

    The board of directors issued a formal statement regarding the merger to reassure the shareholders of the company's long-term stability.
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  1. 3 structured or logical (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Science

    following a clear structure or a set of logical rules.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The researcher employed a formal logic framework to ensure the conclusions were mathematically sound and reproducible by other teams.
  2. 4 a fancy event (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    a dance or party where people wear very smart clothes.

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

    Example

    She bought a beautiful new dress for the winter formal.

    Example

    The university's annual winter formal was held in the grand ballroom, attracting hundreds of students in black-tie attire.
  3. 5 a fancy dress (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a long, elegant dress worn to a special event.

    an elegant evening gown or dress suitable for formal occasions.

    Example

    The shop specializes in selling formals for high school proms.

    Example

    The boutique displayed a collection of silk formals in the window, each hand-beaded for the upcoming gala season.
Etymology 1

From Middle English formel, borrowed from Old French formel, from Latin fōrmālis, from fōrma (“form”); equivalent to form + -al.

Etymology 2

See formo-.

Word family

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