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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.

Formal withdrawal from the 1949 treaty that created the alliance would be legally fraught.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Formal living and dining spaces flow easily onto shaded terraces and courtyards, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that has long defined Palm Springs living.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

Formal delivery guidance from him and his team would be an indication that the company has better control of its production and supply chain.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Formal identification is yet to take place, but Perham's family have been informed.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

Formal schooling—if you could call what happened in the wooden barn next door to my grandparents’ house “formal schooling”—went only to fourteen years of age.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Vocabulary lists containing formal

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Argumentative Writing

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Language and Grammar - Introductory

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