# formal

/ˈfɔɹməɫ/ (US) · /fˈɔːməl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/formal
Updated: 2026-09-06

## Senses

### 1. serious or official

adjective · CEFR A2

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

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

- You should wear a formal suit to the job interview tomorrow.
- The ambassador received a formal invitation to the state dinner, requiring a response within forty-eight hours.

### 2. official or legal

adjective · CEFR B1 · Formal

officially recognized or made legal through a set process.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. structured or logical

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

following a clear structure or a set of logical rules.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a fancy event

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a dance or party where people wear very smart clothes.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. a fancy dress

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a long, elegant dress worn to a special event.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She bought a long blue dress for the school formal.
- The senior students spent months planning the winter formal, from the catering menu to the professional photography.
- While the university formal is ostensibly a celebration of academic completion, it also serves as a significant rite of passage for students transitioning into professional life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.