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.

This categorization didn’t constitute a formal regulation; rather the agency was using its discretion not to go after compounders who used ingredients it deemed safe — those from the first category.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Instead, he gave a marginally more formal “update” about progress in Iran than he gives all day on social media or in quick press availabilities.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

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

"This is very late in a child's education journey and is the end of the formal education process for some," it said.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Since Max was her brother, she’d be the formal authority.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

formal

Example Sentences

Related Words