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formal

 - 8 dictionary results

for⋅mal

1  [fawr-muhl]
Use formal in a Sentence
–adjective
1. being in accordance with the usual requirements, customs, etc.; conventional: to pay one's formal respects.
2. marked by form or ceremony: a formal occasion.
3. designed for wear or use at occasions or events marked by elaborate ceremony or prescribed social observance: The formal attire included tuxedos and full-length gowns.
4. requiring a type of dress suitable for such occasions: a formal dance.
5. observant of conventional requirements of behavior, procedure, etc., as persons; ceremonious.
6. excessively ceremonious: a manner that was formal and austere.
7. being a matter of form only; perfunctory: We expected more than just formal courtesy.
8. made or done in accordance with procedures that ensure validity: a formal authorization.
9. of, pertaining to, or emphasizing the organization or composition of the constituent elements in a work of art perceived separately from its subject matter: a formal approach to painting; the formal structure of a poem.
10. being in accordance with prescribed or customary forms: a formal siege.
11. Theater. (of a stage setting) generalized and simplified in design, esp. of architectural elements, and serving as a permanent set for a play irrespective of changes in location.
12. acquired in school; academic: He had little formal training in economics.
13. symmetrical or highly organized: a formal garden.
14. of, reflecting, or noting a usage of language in which syntax, pronunciation, etc., adhere to traditional standards of correctness and usage is characterized by the absence of casual, contracted, and colloquial forms: The paper was written in formal English.
15. Philosophy.
a. pertaining to form.
b. Aristotelianism. not material; essential.
16. Logic. formal logic.
17. pertaining to the form, shape, or mode of a thing, esp. as distinguished from the substance: formal writing, bereft of all personality.
18. being such merely in appearance or name; nominal: a formal head of the government having no actual powers.
19. Mathematics.
a. (of a proof) in strict logical form with a justification for every step.
b. (of a calculation) correct in form; made with strict justification for every step.
c. (of a calculation, derivation, representation, or the like) of or pertaining to manipulation of symbols without regard to their meaning.
–noun
20. a dance, ball, or other social occasion that requires formalwear.
21. an evening gown.
–adverb
22. in formal attire: We're supposed to go formal.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME formal, formel < L fōrmālis. See form, -al 1

Related forms:
for⋅mal⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. Formal, academic, conventional may have either favorable or unfavorable implications. Formal may mean in proper form, or may imply excessive emphasis on empty form. In the favorable sense, academic applies to scholars or higher institutions of learning; it may, however, imply slavish conformance to mere rules, or to belief in impractical theories. Conventional, in a favorable sense, applies to desirable conformity with accepted conventions or customs; but it more often is applied to arbitrary, forced, or meaningless conformity. 5. conforming, conformist. 6. punctilious. 8. official.

for⋅mal

2  [fawr-mal]
–noun Chemistry.
methylal.
Origin:
1895–1900; from formaldehyde

meth⋅yl⋅al

  [meth-uh-lal, meth-uh-lal]
–noun Chemistry.
a colorless, flammable, volatile liquid, C3H8O2, having a chloroformlike odor, used chiefly as a solvent, in perfumery, and in organic synthesis.
Also called dimethoxymethane, formal.

Origin:
1830–40; methyl- + -al 3
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To formal
for·mal   (fôr'məl)   
adj.  

    1. Relating to or involving outward form or structure.

    2. Being or relating to essential form or constitution: a formal principle.

    3. Following or being in accord with accepted forms, conventions, or regulations: had little formal education; went to a formal party.

    4. Executed, carried out, or done in proper or regular form: a formal reprimand; a formal document.

    5. Characterized by strict or meticulous observation of forms; methodical: very formal in their business transactions.

    6. Stiffly ceremonious: a formal manner; a formal greeting; a formal bow to the monarch.

    1. Following or being in accord with accepted forms, conventions, or regulations: had little formal education; went to a formal party.

    2. Executed, carried out, or done in proper or regular form: a formal reprimand; a formal document.

    3. Characterized by strict or meticulous observation of forms; methodical: very formal in their business transactions.

    4. Stiffly ceremonious: a formal manner; a formal greeting; a formal bow to the monarch.

    1. Characterized by strict or meticulous observation of forms; methodical: very formal in their business transactions.

    2. Stiffly ceremonious: a formal manner; a formal greeting; a formal bow to the monarch.

  4. Having the outward appearance but lacking in substance: a formal requirement that is usually ignored.

n.  Something, such as a gown or social affair, that is formal in nature.

[Middle English, from Latin fōrmālis, from fōrma, shape.]
for'mal·ly adv., for'mal·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

formal 
c.1386, from L. formalis, from forma (see form). Short for formal dance, first recorded 1946. Formality in the depreciative sense is from 1647. Formalism is from 1840 as "strict adherence to prescribed forms;" 1943 in ref. to Rus. literary movement (1916-30).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: for·mal
Function: adjective
1 : relating to or involving outward form, structure, or arrangement rather than content formal defect in the pleadings>
2 : requiring special or established solemnities or formalities esp. in order to be effective or valid under the law formal notice> formal criminal charge>
3 : being such only as a matter of form : NOMINAL formal party to a lawsuit>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: meth·yl·al
Pronunciation: 'meth-&-"lal
Function: noun
: a volatile flammable liquid C3H8O2 ofpleasant ethereal odor used as a hypnotic and anesthetic and in organic synthesis
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

FORMAL
1. FORmula MAnipulation Language.
An early Fortran extension for symbolic mathematics.
["FORMAL, A Formula Manipulation Language", C.K. Mesztenyi, Computer Note CN-1, CS Dept, U Maryland (Jan 1971)].
2. A data manipulation language for nonprogrammers from IBM LASC.
["FORMAL: A Forms-Oriented and Visual-Directed Application System", N.C. Shu, IEEE Computer 18(8):38-49 (1985)].
(1994-12-06)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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