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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.

Gorka’s formal title is deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Janice Charette said she doesn’t expect an agreement among the parties before July 1, when a formal U.S.-led review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade treaty, or USMCA, is set to begin in earnest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Stocks moved lower Tuesday after Pakistan’s information minister said that Iran has not provided a formal confirmation its delegation will attend peace talks with the U.S. in Pakistan.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

The federal-funds rate is the formal name for the Fed’s benchmark interest rate.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

The sight of her made my already jumpy nerves practically sizzle, and I barely remembered to get my hand up in a formal salute.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Vocabulary lists containing formal

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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Argumentative Writing

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Language and Grammar - Introductory

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