- for´mal|ness
- for|mal «FR muhl», adjective, noun.–adj.1. with strict attention to outward forms and ceremonies; not familiar and homelike; stiff: »
a formal greeting, a formal bow.
2. according to set customs or rules: »a formal invitation. The new ambassador paid a formal call on the President.
3. done, used, said, or otherwise employed, as a formality only; routine.4. done with the proper forms; clear and definite: »A written contract is a formal agreement to do something.
5. very regular; symmetrical; orderly: »a formal arrangement of furniture, a formal poem. A cold-looking formal garden, cut into angles and rhomboids (Washington Irving).
6. having to do with the for not the content: »formal criticism, a formal analysis.
7. (of language) conforming to established convention in grammar, syntax, and pronunciation.8. Philosophy. having to do with form; essential.–n.1. a formal dance, party, or other affair.2. a gown worn to a formal affair: »She was dressed in her first formal. Women's apparel items likely to be popular this fall include knit dresses, beaded cocktail dresses, and long formals (Wall Street Journal).
╂[< Latin formālis < forma form, shape]–for´mal|ly, adverb.–for´mal|ness, noun.Synonym Study adjective. 1, 2 Formal, conventional mean in keeping with outward forms and rules. Formal implies paying strict attention to prescribed forms and procedures, and suggests lack of warmth and naturalness: »A judge has a formal manner in a law court.
Conventional implies paying attention to generally accepted forms and customs of social behavior, and often suggests lack of originality: »She wrote a conventional note of sympathy.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
