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English Dictionary

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 formal formal /ˈfɔrməl/

adjective

  1. () Being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)  ( formal )
    being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
     Pay one's formal respects
    pay one's formal respects
     Formal dress
    formal dress
     A formal ball
    a formal ball
     The requirement was only formal and often ignored
    the requirement was only formal and often ignored
     A formal education
    a formal education
  2. () Characteristic of or befitting a person in authority  ( formal )
    characteristic of or befitting a person in authority
     Formal duties
    formal duties
     An official banquet
    an official banquet
  3. () (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms  ( formal )
    (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms
     The paper was written in formal English
    the paper was written in formal English
  4. Refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court  ( courtly , formal , stately )
    refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
     A courtly gentleman
    a courtly gentleman
  5. Logically deductive  ( formal )
    logically deductive
     Formal proof
    formal proof
  6. (fine arts) represented in simplified or symbolic form  ( formal , conventional , schematic )
    (fine arts) represented in simplified or symbolic form

noun

  1. [ N. American] A gown for evening wear  ( dinner dress , dinner gown , evening gown , formal [ N. American] )
    a gown for evening wear
  2. A lavish dance requiring formal attire  ( ball , formal )
    a lavish dance requiring formal attire