formal
In accordance with established forms.
Adjective 4 meanings
In accordance with established forms.
“She spoke formal English, without any dialect.”
Official.
“I'd like to make a formal complaint.”
Relating to the form or structure of something.
“Formal linguistics ignores the vocabulary of languages and focuses solely on their grammar.”
Relating to formation.
“The formal stage is a critical part of any child's development.”
Noun 4 meanings
An evening gown.
An event with a formal dress code.
“Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal.”
A formal parameter.
Formalin.
Etymology
From Middle English formel, borrowed from Old French formel, from Latin fōrmālis, from fōrma (“form”); equivalent to form + -al.
Similar and opposite words
FORMAL at a glance
FORMAL has 6 letters and scores 11 points in Scrabble (F 4 + O 1 + R 1 + M 3 + A 1 + L 1) and 13 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,234 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with formal
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