English dictionary
formal
adjectivePronunciation
ˈfɔɹməl
Audio pronunciation
Parts of speech
Definitions
adjective
- refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
adjective
- being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
adjective
- (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms
adjective
- logically deductive
adjective
- characteristic of or befitting a person in authority
adjective
- represented in simplified or symbolic form
noun
- a gown for evening wear
noun
- a lavish dance requiring formal attire
Example sentences
a courtly gentleman
pay one's formal respects
formal dress
a formal ball
the requirement was only formal and often ignored
a formal education
the paper was written in formal English
formal proof
formal duties
a formal banquet