Formal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈfȯr-məl/ for·mal

Meaning & Definition of Formal

Formal (adjective)

  1. following or according with established form, custom, or rule
  2. made or done in an official and usually public way
  3. done in due or lawful form
  4. molar

Formal (noun)

  1. something (such as a dance or a dress) formal in character

Formal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules

    "a formal meeting of the board of directors"

    "a formal contract that was legally binding"

    similar: ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, orthodox, regular, routine
    related: authorized, certified, official, sanctioned, accepted, correct, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly, formalistic, ritual, ritualistic, methodical, orderly, systematic
    opposite: casual, freewheeling, informal, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox
    near: unauthorized, unofficial, graceless, improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable

  2. being something in name or form only

    "was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting"

    similar: nominal, paper, titular
    related: so-called, phantom, virtual, apparent, assumed, evident, ostensible, presumed, seeming, supposed
    near: actual, real, true

  3. marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details

    "gave her a formal invitation to dinner"

    similar: ceremonious, correct, decorous, nice, proper, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted
    related: sober, solemn, stately, chivalrous, courtly, gallant, genteel, polished, refined, civil, courteous, polite, red-carpet
    opposite: casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious
    near: improper, indecorous, unmannerly, discourteous, impolite, rude

  4. relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners

    "the dress code is formal for tonight's event"

    "a shop that rents out formal wear"

    similar: dress, dressy
    related: costume, costumey, chic, dapper, fashionable, in, modish, natty, sharp, smart, snappy, stylish, custom-made, fitted, tailored, black-tie, evening, white-tie, semiformal
    opposite: casual, informal, sportif, sporty
    near: street, dowdy, outmoded, styleless, unfashionable, unstylish, frowsy, grungy, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy, disheveled, messy, mussy, rumpled, wrinkled

  5. very dignified in form, tone, or style

    "the formal language of the coronation ceremony"

    similar: elevated, eloquent, high-flown, lofty, majestic, stately, towering
    related: affected, bombastic, declamatory, florid, flowery, grandiloquent, grandiose, highfalutin, oratorical, pompous, pretentious, rhetorical, stilted, Attic, cultured, refined, classy, courtly, fine, graceful, tasteful, aristocratic, genteel, patrician, correct, educated, grammatical, proper, academic, bookish, learned, literary
    opposite: ineloquent, low, undignified
    near: casual, colloquial, conversational, informal, nonformal, slangy, unbookish, unliterary, vernacular, coarse, common, crass, crude, gross, ill-bred, indecent, lowbred, lowbrow, rough, rough-hewn, rude, tasteless, uncouth, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, unrefined, vulgar, incorrect, substandard, uneducated, ungrammatical, unlearned

Formal (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a social gathering for dancing

    "he asked her to the formal at the end of the year"

    similar: ball, cotillion, dance, hop, prom
    related: blowout, celebration, event, festival, festivity, fete, gala, masque, masquerade, mixer, party, reception, shindig, soiree, hoedown, square dance

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Formal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Formal:

ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, orthodox, regular, routine, nominal, paper, titular, correct, decorous, nice, proper, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted, dress, dressy, elevated, eloquent, high-flown, lofty, majestic, stately, towering, ball, cotillion, dance, hop, prom

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Formal

Words with the opposite meaning of Formal:

casual, freewheeling, informal, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox, easygoing, laid-back, sportif, sporty, ineloquent, low, undignified

Related Words for Formal

authorized, certified, official, sanctioned, accepted, genteel, polite, respectable, seemly, formalistic, ritual, ritualistic, methodical, orderly, systematic, so-called, phantom, virtual, apparent, assumed, evident, ostensible, presumed, seeming, supposed, sober, solemn, chivalrous, courtly, gallant

Near Antonyms of Formal

unauthorized, unofficial, graceless, improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, actual, real, true, unmannerly, discourteous, impolite, rude, street, dowdy, outmoded, styleless, unfashionable, unstylish, frowsy, grungy

Word Forms of Formal

Derived words: formally (adverb), formalness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Formal

Middle English, from Latin formalis, from forma

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Formal

Frequently Asked Questions about Formal

What does "Formal" mean?

"Formal" means following or according with established form, custom, or rule. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: following or according with established form, custom, or rule. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Formal"?

Other words for "Formal" include ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, orthodox, regular, routine, nominal and paper. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Formal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Formal"?

There are 128 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Formal". Common alternatives include ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, orthodox, regular, routine, nominal, paper, titular and correct.

What is the opposite of "Formal"?

Antonyms of "Formal" include casual, freewheeling, informal, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox and easygoing. Near antonyms include unauthorized, unofficial, graceless and improper.

How do you use "Formal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Formal" in a sentence: "a formal meeting of the board of directors"; "a formal contract that was legally binding"; "was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting".

Is "Formal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Formal" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Formal" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Formal" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Formal"?

"Formal" is pronounced /ˈfȯr-məl/ and divided into syllables as for·mal.