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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.

Pyongyang and Washington haven’t held formal disarmament talks since 2019.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh said on the earnings call Thursday night that Apple will no longer provide net cash neutral as a formal target, and will instead independently evaluate cash and debt.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

At the time, the organization stopped short of requiring formal disclosure of AI use, even as the technology became a flash point across Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The Electoral Commission said it was considering the information but had not opened a formal investigation.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

This brings me to Mary McLeod Bethune, a Colored woman born shortly after the end of slavery whose parents had been not only enslaved but also denied a formal education.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Vocabulary lists containing formal

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Argumentative Writing

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