formal

formal
I UK [ˈfɔː(r)m(ə)l] / US [ˈfɔrm(ə)l] adjective ***
1) following the correct or suitable official methods

The government is promising a formal investigation.

They have offered me the job, but I don't yet have a formal contract.

We intend to make a formal written complaint.

2) correct or conservative in style, and suitable for official or serious situations or occasions

When we first met, he was a little stiff and formal.

Business letters do not always have to be impersonal and formal.

"Ameliorate" is a more formal way of saying "improve".

a) a formal event or social occasion is an important or official one at which people wear special clothes

The Queen will be the host at a formal dinner tonight.

b) formal clothes are the special clothes that people wear at formal occasions, usually a black jacket and trousers for men and a long dress for women
3) formal education or training is obtained from studying rather than from working at a job

She's got a lot of experience but no formal qualifications.

4) [usually before noun] relating to the form or structure of something such as a piece of writing, art, or music

the formal innovations in Mozart's music

5) formal gardens have plants and paths arranged in a set of regular patterns

Derived word:
formally
adverb
II UK [ˈfɔː(r)m(ə)l] / US [ˈfɔrm(ə)l] noun [countable]
Word forms "formal":
singular formal plural formals American
1) a dance to which people wear formal clothes
2) a long dress that a woman wears to a formal dance

English dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:
, , , , , , / , , , , , / , , , , , , , / , / , , / , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Formal — Form al (f[^o]rm al), a. [L. formalis: cf. F. formel.] 1. Belonging to the form, shape, frame, external appearance, or organization of a thing. [1913 Webster] 2. Belonging to the constitution of a thing, as distinguished from the matter composing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • formal — for‧mal [ˈfɔːml ǁ ˈfɔːr ] adjective done or given officially and publicly: • The companies said they expect to sign a formal agreement before year s end. • No formal announcement has yet been made. • The British authorities have decided to… …   Financial and business terms

  • formal — adjetivo 1. De la forma: requisito formal, análisis formal. 2. Que cumple con su palabra, obligaciones o compromisos: Es un hombre formal, de palabra, puedes confiar en él. Es un muchacho formal, serio y responsable. Es una empresa formal, no… …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • formal — for·mal adj 1: relating to or involving outward form, structure, or arrangement rather than content a formal defect in the pleadings 2: requiring special or established solemnities or formalities esp. in order to be effective or valid under the… …   Law dictionary

  • formal — FORMÁL, Ă, formali, e, adj. 1. Privitor la formă, care ţine de formă, de aparenţă. ♦ (Adverbial) în aparenţă. 2. Formulat precis; categoric, expres. 3. Pătruns de formalism; făcut de formă (7). 4. (Despre unele acte juridice) Care necesită… …   Dicționar Român

  • formal — [fôr′məl] adj. [ME < L formalis < forma, FORM] 1. of external form or structure, rather than nature or content 2. of the internal form; relating to the intrinsic or essential character or nature 3. of or according to prescribed or fixed… …   English World dictionary

  • formal — (Del lat. formālis). 1. adj. Perteneciente o relativo a la forma, por contraposición a esencial. 2. Que tiene formalidad. 3. Dicho de una persona: Seria, amiga de la verdad y enemiga de chanzas. 4. Expreso, preciso, determinado. ☛ V. acto formal …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • formal — (adj.) late 14c., from O.Fr. formel (13c.) and directly from L. formalis, from forma (see FORM (Cf. form)). As a noun, c.1600 (pl.) things that are formal; as a short way to say formal dance, recorded by 1906, U.S. college students …   Etymology dictionary

  • formal — Adj std. (16. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. fōrmālis, zu l. fōrma Form . Aus der gleichen Grundlage über das Französische formell. Eine Substantivierung in Formalie, Abstrakta in Formalismus, Formalität; Täterbezeichnung: Formalist; Verb:… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • formal — [adj1] established, orderly academic, approved, ceremonial, ceremonialistic, ceremonious, confirmed, conventional, decorous, directed, explicit, express, fixed, formalistic, lawful, legal, methodical, official, precise, prescribed, pro forma,… …   New thesaurus

  • formal — Adj. (Mittelstufe) die äußere Form betreffend Beispiele: Wir hatten viele formale Probleme zu bewältigen. Das Referat ist formal einwandfrei …   Extremes Deutsch

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”