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Definitions

formal

[fawr-muhl] / ˈfɔr məl /
ADJECTIVE
established, orderly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
academic ceremonial explicit legal precise proper solemn strict
STRONG
express official regular ritual set
WEAK
approved ceremonialistic ceremonious confirmed conventional decorous directed fixed formalistic lawful methodical prescribed pro forma punctilious rigid ritualistic stately stereotyped stereotypical systematic
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous inaccurate indefinite ordinary
WEAK
customary disorderly informal normal relaxed unaffected
ADJECTIVE
stiff, affected, correct
Synonyms
STRONGEST
polite precise
STRONG
nominal
WEAK
aloof by the numbers ceremonious conventional decorous distant exact playing the game prim punctilious reserved seemly sententious starched stilted straight arrow stuffy unbending
Antonyms
WEAK
customary disorderly informal normal relaxed unaffected

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The daily diary is distinct from a formal autobiography.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

It has recommended "a discretionary exemption" from the 75% backdated premium "which is progressing through the council's formal decision-making process".

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

This categorization didn’t constitute a formal regulation; rather the agency was using its discretion not to go after compounders who used ingredients it deemed safe — those from the first category.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

While Pozen doesn’t keep formal price targets, he expects the stock to deliver compound annual total returns in the low teens over the next three to five years.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Under Soviet rule, there was no formal annual commemoration for women veterans of the Great Patriotic War.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein