Academic / B1

FORML/ˈfɔːml/

Formal means official, serious, or suitable for important occasions: a formal letter; formal dress; a formal meeting. Casual / informal is the opposite for clothes and tone. Official stresses that something comes from an authority; formal stresses style and seriousness. Formally is the adverb: dress formally. Formality is the noun. In exams, a formal register means no slang and fewer contractions. A formal complaint and formal education are common collocations.

Meaning

Official, serious, or suitable for important occasions.

Examples

• “He wore a suit to the formal dinner.”
• “A formal complaint must be made in writing.”
• “Please write a formal email to the head teacher.”

Good to know

a formal letter / meeting / dress. Opposite: casual / informal. Adverb: formally. Authority: official.

Near in meaning

official

Topics

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