Antonyms for formal


Grammar : Adj
Spell : fawr-muh l
Phonetic Transcription : ˈfɔr məl


Definition of formal

Origin :
  • late 14c., from Old French formel (13c.) and directly from Latin formalis, from forma (see form (n.)). As a noun, c.1600 (plural) "things that are formal;" as a short way to say formal dance, recorded by 1906, U.S. college students.
  • adj established, orderly
  • adj stiff, affected, correct
Example sentences :
  • Yet the superscription is of his dictating, I dare say, for he is a formal wretch.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • Again, the girl made her formal response in the affirmative, then left the room.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • It is not a thing for which one can render formal thanks in formal words.
  • Extract from : « De Profundis » by Oscar Wilde
  • The tone was formal, and put Payne ten thousand leagues away from her.
  • Extract from : « Quaint Courtships » by Various
  • He had known Jack's governor for years, and so a too formal introduction was unnecessary.
  • Extract from : « The Underdog » by F. Hopkinson Smith
  • All this was equivalent to my formal adoption as Mr. Stewart's son.
  • Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic
  • They parted, however, without establishing any formal acquaintance.
  • Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • A formal ceremony preliminary to the reconciliation of two enemies.
  • Extract from : « The Devil's Dictionary » by Ambrose Bierce
  • She enclosed a formal refusal of the invitation to the Haberdashers' Assistants' Ball.
  • Extract from : « Roden's Corner » by Henry Seton Merriman
  • When the formal ceremonies were ended I again arose and addressed the Emperor.
  • Extract from : « City of Endless Night » by Milo Hastings

Synonyms for formal

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019