formal /förˈməl/

1. According to form or established style
2. Relating to form
3. Ceremonious, punctilious or methodical
4. Of, or suitable for, an important or serious occasion
5. Having the outward form only
6. Sane (Shakespeare)
7. Having the power of making a thing what it is
8. Essential
9. (of a logical system) using precisely defined conventions to enable deductions to be made

1. A social event, esp for students, at which formal dress is worn (informal)
2. A garment suitable for an important occasion, esp a woman's evening dress (US)

formˈalism noun

1. Excessive observance of form or conventional usage, esp in religion
2. Stiffness of manner
3. Concentration on form or technique at the expense of social or moral content (art)

formˈalist noun

1. A person having exaggerated regard to rules or established usages
2. A person who practises formalism (art)

Of or relating to formalists or formalism

formalistˈic adjective

formalˈity noun

1. The precise observance of forms or ceremonies
2. A matter of form
3. A ceremonious observance
4. Stiffness or conventionality
5. Mere convention at the expense of substance

formalīzāˈtion or formalīsāˈtion noun

formˈalize or formˈalise transitive verb

1. To make formal
2. To make official or valid
3. To make precise or give a clear statement of

To be formal

formˈally adverb

formal verdict noun (law)

1. One in which the jury follows the judge's directions
2. In a fatal accident inquiry, a finding that involves no apportioning of blame (Scot)

• planet-stricken
• planet-struck
• planform
• plangencies
• plangency
• plangent
• plangently
• plani-
• planigraph
• planigraphs
• planimeter
• planimeters
• planimetric
• planimetrical
• planimetries
• planimetry
• planing
• planing bottom
• planing bottoms
• planing-machine
• planing-machines
• planish
• planished
• planisher
• planishers