Formal Definition & Meaning
formal
- adjective
- being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress); "pay one's formal respects"; "formal dress"; "a formal ball"; "the requirement was only formal and often ignored"; "a formal education"
- characteristic of or befitting a person in authority; "formal duties"; "an official banquet"
- (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"
- represented in simplified or symbolic form
- logically deductive; "formal proof"
- refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court; "a courtly gentleman"
- noun
- a lavish dance requiring formal attire
- a gown for evening wear
"Formal" in song lyrics
See how formal is used in real songs:
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"I speak with the truth, it's foremost and formal"
Lil' Keke — Luv by Few Hated by Many -
"And I call myself normal, casual or formal"
Murphy Lee f/ Zee — Regular Guy -
"Loved to dance but couldn't make it to the formal"
Sage Francis — The Best of Times
Words that rhyme with formal
Usage tips for "formal"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "formal" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for formal to find words that pair well.