formal

adjective

1. 1

   In accordance with established forms.

   She spoke formal English, without any dialect.

2. 2

   Official.

   I'd like to make a formal complaint.

3. 3

   Relating to the form or structure of something.

   Formal linguistics ignores the vocabulary of languages and focuses solely on their grammar.

4. 4

   Relating to formation.

   The formal stage is a critical part of any child's development.

5. 5

   Ceremonial or traditional.

   Formal wear must be worn at my wedding!

6. 6

   Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual.

   He's always very formal, and I wish he'd relax a bit.

7. 7

   Organized; well-structured and planned.

   When they became a formal club the rowers built a small boathouse.

8. 8

   In accordance with a methodological framework with well-defined rules or laws; rigorous.

   Despite efforts by limnologists and freshwater biologists to create a formal definition of “pond”, there is still no universal distinction between a “pond” and a “lake”.

   Only formal proofs, which derive theorems logically from their given axioms, are considered satisfactory in modern mathematics.

   A set of words can be formal cognates only if they can be derived from a common ancestor by regular sound laws.

9. 9

   Relating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning.

   Formal series are defined without any reference to convergence.

noun

1. 1

   An evening gown.

   Well, I open up the door / And much to my surprise / The girls were wearin' formals / And the boys were wearin' ties

2. 2

   An event with a formal dress code.

   Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal.

3. 3

   A formal parameter.

4. 4

   Variant of formal hallEllipsis of formal hall.

noun

1. 1

   Formalin.

2. 2

   An acetal formed from formaldehyde.

Forms

plural

formals

comparative

more formal

superlative

most formal