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.

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

But while the formal announcement of the state visit might have been delayed, planning seems to have quietly continued in the background, with no signs of the visit being stopped.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Wanting a garden that was easy to use and colorful year-round, Smee contacted landscape designer Guillaume Lemoine of Picture This Land to help design a formal French garden using California native plants.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

However, the post fell short of a formal apology, which could mean the controversy won’t end swiftly.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Fischer lodged a formal protest less than six hours after the forfeiture.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

formal

Example Sentences

Related Words