formal

formal
[[t]fɔ͟ː(r)m(ə)l[/t]]
♦♦
formals
1) ADJ-GRADED Formal speech or behaviour is very correct and serious rather than relaxed and friendly, and is used especially in official situations.

He wrote a very formal letter of apology to Douglas...

Business relationships are necessarily a bit more formal.

Ant:
Derived words:
formally ADV-GRADED ADV with v

He took her back to Vincent Square in a taxi, saying goodnight formally on the doorstep.

formality N-UNCOUNT

Lillith's formality and seriousness amused him.

2) ADJ: ADJ n A formal action, statement, or request is an official one.

The European Community began formal talks on enlargement...

No formal announcement had been made.

...a formal application.

Ant:
Derived words:
formally ADV ADV with v

Diplomats haven't formally agreed to Anderson's plan...

They are now formally separated and they will continue to lead their own lives.

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Formal occasions are special occasions at which people wear smart clothes and behave according to a set of accepted rules.

One evening the film company arranged a formal dinner after the play.

Ant:
N-COUNT
Formal is also a noun.

...a wide array of events, including school formals and speech nights, weddings, and balls.

4) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n Formal clothes are very smart clothes that are suitable for formal occasions.

They wore ordinary ties instead of the more formal high collar and cravat.

Ant:
informal, casual
Derived words:
formally ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV -ed

It was really too warm for her to dress so formally.

5) ADJ-GRADED Something that is done, written, or studied in a formal way has a very ordered, organized method or style.

This does not encourage the child to analyse the environment in a formal way...

Classic Greek drama was written in verse, usually in an elevated and formal style.

...a formal methodology.

6) ADJ: ADJ n Formal education or training is given officially, usually in a school, college, or university.

Although his formal education stopped after primary school, he was an avid reader...

Leroy didn't have any formal dance training.

Derived words:
formally ADV ADV -ed

Mr Dawe was the ancient, formally trained head gardener.

7) ADJ A formal garden or room is arranged in a very regular and controlled way, especially according to certain rules of design.

...a formal herb garden...

The Coronata wallpaper lends a formal air to the dining room.

Ant:
8) → See also formality

English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Formal — Form al (f[^o]rm al), a. [L. formalis: cf. F. formel.] 1. Belonging to the form, shape, frame, external appearance, or organization of a thing. [1913 Webster] 2. Belonging to the constitution of a thing, as distinguished from the matter composing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • formal — for‧mal [ˈfɔːml ǁ ˈfɔːr ] adjective done or given officially and publicly: • The companies said they expect to sign a formal agreement before year s end. • No formal announcement has yet been made. • The British authorities have decided to… …   Financial and business terms

  • formal — adjetivo 1. De la forma: requisito formal, análisis formal. 2. Que cumple con su palabra, obligaciones o compromisos: Es un hombre formal, de palabra, puedes confiar en él. Es un muchacho formal, serio y responsable. Es una empresa formal, no… …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • formal — for·mal adj 1: relating to or involving outward form, structure, or arrangement rather than content a formal defect in the pleadings 2: requiring special or established solemnities or formalities esp. in order to be effective or valid under the… …   Law dictionary

  • formal — FORMÁL, Ă, formali, e, adj. 1. Privitor la formă, care ţine de formă, de aparenţă. ♦ (Adverbial) în aparenţă. 2. Formulat precis; categoric, expres. 3. Pătruns de formalism; făcut de formă (7). 4. (Despre unele acte juridice) Care necesită… …   Dicționar Român

  • formal — [fôr′məl] adj. [ME < L formalis < forma, FORM] 1. of external form or structure, rather than nature or content 2. of the internal form; relating to the intrinsic or essential character or nature 3. of or according to prescribed or fixed… …   English World dictionary

  • formal — (Del lat. formālis). 1. adj. Perteneciente o relativo a la forma, por contraposición a esencial. 2. Que tiene formalidad. 3. Dicho de una persona: Seria, amiga de la verdad y enemiga de chanzas. 4. Expreso, preciso, determinado. ☛ V. acto formal …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • formal — (adj.) late 14c., from O.Fr. formel (13c.) and directly from L. formalis, from forma (see FORM (Cf. form)). As a noun, c.1600 (pl.) things that are formal; as a short way to say formal dance, recorded by 1906, U.S. college students …   Etymology dictionary

  • formal — Adj std. (16. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. fōrmālis, zu l. fōrma Form . Aus der gleichen Grundlage über das Französische formell. Eine Substantivierung in Formalie, Abstrakta in Formalismus, Formalität; Täterbezeichnung: Formalist; Verb:… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • formal — [adj1] established, orderly academic, approved, ceremonial, ceremonialistic, ceremonious, confirmed, conventional, decorous, directed, explicit, express, fixed, formalistic, lawful, legal, methodical, official, precise, prescribed, pro forma,… …   New thesaurus

  • formal — Adj. (Mittelstufe) die äußere Form betreffend Beispiele: Wir hatten viele formale Probleme zu bewältigen. Das Referat ist formal einwandfrei …   Extremes Deutsch

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