Formal Definition & Meaning

formal
adjective
  1. 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"
  2. characteristic of or befitting a person in authority; "formal duties"; "an official banquet"
  3. (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"
  4. represented in simplified or symbolic form
  5. logically deductive; "formal proof"
  6. refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court; "a courtly gentleman"
noun
  1. a lavish dance requiring formal attire
  2. a gown for evening wear

Synonyms for formal

buckram adj

rigidly formal; "a starchy manner"; "the letter was stiff and formal

♫ Rhymes
ceremonial adj

marked by pomp or ceremony or formality; "a ceremonial occasion

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
ceremonious adj

characterized by pomp and ceremony and stately display rigidly formal or bound by convention

♫ Rhymes
conventional adj

following accepted customs and proprieties; "conventional wisdom

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
courtly adj

refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court; "a courtly gentleman"

♫ Rhymes
dignified adj

having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance; "her dignified demeanor

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
dress adj

suitable for formal occasions; "formal wear"; "a full- dress uniform

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elegant adj

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style; "elegant handwriting"; "an elegant dark suit

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literary adj

of or relating to or characteristic of literature; "literary criticism" knowledgeable about literature

♫ Rhymes
logical adj

capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Formal" in song lyrics

See how formal is used in real songs:

  • "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

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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.

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♫ Rhymes with formal ↔ Synonyms for formal 🔬 Words containing formal

Frequently asked questions

What does formal mean?
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
What part of speech is formal?
Formal is an adjective and a noun.
How many definitions does formal have?
Formal has 8 definitions across 2 parts of speech (adjective, noun).

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