formal

Everyday

1. Formal means serious and following proper rules, used in important or official situations. tree →
2. Formal clothes are smart clothes worn for special events. tree →
3. Formal language is polite and careful, not chatty or slangy. tree →
4. Formal can mean official, done in the proper way. tree →

In the lessons

In writing lessons, formal letters use «Dear Sir or Madam», no slang and full words; informal letters to friends are chattier. In maths, a «formal method» is the written column method. In manners lessons, formal events need smart clothes and polite words. Phrases: «formal letter», «formal dress», «formal method», «formal event».

Examples

• We wrote a formal letter to the council about the park. tree →
• The wedding was very formal. tree →
• He wore a formal suit and tie. tree →
• Use formal language when you write to the head teacher. tree →
• Use the formal written method for long multiplication. tree →
• We got a formal invitation to the school concert. tree →
• «Hello» is more formal than «Hiya». tree →

Note

Opposite: «informal», «casual». Adverb: «formally». Noun: «formality». Do not confuse with «former» (earlier). In maths, the «formal method» is the column method for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.