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.

Finally, Rwanda urged judges to order Britain to issue a formal apology for breaching the deal.

From Barron's

Russia and Iran don’t have a formal military alliance, but Tehran is Moscow’s closest partner in the Middle East.

From The Wall Street Journal

Me and Lloyd hoped to encourage him to close down the school and drive all formal education out of this part of Parke County.

From Literature

The bill needs to receive Royal Assent, or formal approval, in the UK before it takes effect.

From BBC

I am told there have been just three formal requests from Washington to the UK.

From BBC