formal A formal occasion is an event in which a person’s behavior reflects serious or important reasons for being there. Men wear suits and women wear dresses for formal occasions. When something is formal, activities might be rehearsed or so well-practiced that people know well what their roles and responsibilities are. - A wedding is usually a formal occasion.
- People wear formal attire when attending a funeral. (attire = clothing)
- Office attire is formal, but it depends on a company’s policies regarding dress.
- We received a formal letter inviting us to attend a ceremony.
- Everyone should learn how to write a formal letter.
- A professor uses a formal manner of speech when giving a lecture.
- Students in elementary school and high school address their teachers in a formal manner, using Mr. , Miss, Mrs. or Ms. and then the teacher’s last name.
- My name is Mr. Lawrence, but you don’t have to be so formal. Just call me Paul.
- Americans generally are very informal. (The opposite of "formal" is "informal.")
The word "formally" is an adverb: - Ron and Sara were formally introduced to each other.
- We weren’t formally introduced, but I know who you are.
- A man was formally charged by the county prosecutor for violating laws related to the construction of new buildings.
- Office workers these days dress less formally than they did twenty years ago.
- A man who wears a tuxedo is formally dressed for an important occasion.
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