formal

adjective more formal · most formal

1. In accordance with established forms. She spoke formal English, without any dialect.
2. Official. I'd like to make a formal complaint.
3. Relating to the form or structure of something. Formal linguistics ignores the vocabulary of languages and focuses solely on their grammar.
4. Relating to formation. The formal stage is a critical part of any child's development.
5. Ceremonial or traditional. Formal wear must be worn at my wedding!
6. Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual. He's always very formal, and I wish he'd relax a bit.
7. Organized; well-structured and planned. When they became a formal club the rowers built a small boathouse.
8. especially In accordance with a methodological framework with well-defined rules or laws; rigorous. Despite efforts by limnologists and freshwater biologists to create a formal definition of “pond”, there is still no universal distinction between a “pond” and a “lake”.
9. Relating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning. Formal series are defined without any reference to convergence.

Opposite: informal

noun formals

1. countable, uncountable An evening gown. Well, I open up the door / And much to my surprise / The girls were wearin' formals / And the boys were wearin' ties
2. countable, uncountable An event with a formal dress code. Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal.
3. countable, uncountable A formal parameter.
4. abbreviation, countable, ellipsis, uncountable Ellipsis of formal hall

noun formals

1. uncountable Formalin.
2. countable, uncountable An acetal formed from formaldehyde.