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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.

But the formal judicial process is unlikely to be swift either.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The go-forward company will be listed on the Nasdaq, signaling Pasqal’s formal entry into the U.S. market.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

There have been a few people seriously interested in the restaurant but no formal offers yet, the sisters said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

“While a memoir or formal autobiography aims to offer a retrospective story, the diary typically doesn’t, or can’t, because it is written from the middle of an unfolding life.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

We shook hands in a sort of playful formal introduction.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan