formal
word
Definition
Used for situations, language, clothes, or behavior that follow official or traditional rules and are more serious than casual everyday style. It can also describe a polite but distant way of speaking or acting.
Usage & Nuances
Common with nouns like 'formal dress', 'formal education', 'formal complaint', and 'formal invitation'. 'Formal' often contrasts with 'casual' or 'informal'. For language, 'formal' means more polite and structured; for events or clothes, it means elegant or official. A person can sound 'too formal' if they seem stiff.
Example Sentences
Her message sounded a bit too formal, like she was talking to a customer.
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He wore a formal suit to the wedding.
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Please use formal language in your email.
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The meeting was formal and very quiet.
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You don't need to be so formal with me—we know each other well.
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The invitation says formal, so jeans are probably not a good idea.
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