formal

/ˈfɔrməl/
adjective
  1. Following accepted rules or customs; official or serious in style or behavior.
    • The wedding required formal attire like tuxedos and gowns.
    • She wrote a formal letter of complaint to the company.
    • The meeting had a very formal atmosphere with strict rules.
  2. Relating to the form or structure of something rather than its content.
    • The formal elements of the painting include line, shape, and color.
    • In formal logic, we study the structure of arguments.
    • The formal design of the building emphasizes symmetry.
  3. Officially recognized or designated.
    • She received a formal invitation to the ceremony.
    • The company made a formal announcement about the merger.
    • He has no formal training in cooking, but he is a great chef.
noun
  1. An event or occasion that requires formal dress, such as a dance or ball.
    • They danced all night at the winter formal.
    • She bought a new dress for the formal next weekend.
    • The high school held its annual formal in the hotel ballroom.
What does "formal" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean