formal

adjective

1. Being in accord with established forms.

   “She spoke formal English, without any dialect.”

2. Official.

   “I'd like to make a formal complaint.”

   “Despite efforts by limnologists and freshwater biologists to create a formal definition of “pond”, there is still no universal distinction between a “pond” and a “lake.””

3. Relating to the form or structure of something.

   “Formal linguistics ignores the vocabulary of languages and focuses solely on their grammar.”

4. Relating to formation.

   “The formal stage is a critical part of any child's development.”

5. Ceremonial or traditional.

   “Formal wear must be worn at my wedding!”

6. Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual.

   “He's always very formal, and I wish he'd relax a bit.”

7. Organized; well-structured and planned.

   “When they became a formal club the rowers built a small boathouse.”

8. mathematicsRelating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning.

   “Formal series are defined without any reference to convergence.”

9. Characteristic of or befitting a person in authority

   “formal duties”

   “a formal banquet”

10. (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms

    “the paper was written in formal English”

11. Represented in simplified or symbolic form

    Similar: conventional, schematic

12. Logically deductive

    “formal proof”

13. Refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court

    “a courtly gentleman”

    Similar: courtly, stately

noun

1. clothingAn evening gown.

2. An event with a formal dress code.

   “Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal.”

3. programmingA formal parameter.

4. Formalin.

5. An acetal formed from formaldehyde.

6. A lavish dance requiring formal attire

   Similar: ball

Ellipsis of formal hall.