ˈfɔ:məl adj. & n. --adj. 1 used or
done or
held in
accordance with rules,
convention, or
ceremony (formal
dress; a formal occasion). 2
ceremonial; required by convention (a formal call). 3
precise or symmetrical (a formal garden). 4
prim or
stiff in
manner. 5
perfunctory, having
the form without the
spirit. 6
valid or correctly so called
because of
its form;
explicit and definite (a formal agreement). 7 in accordance with recognized forms or rules. 8 of or
concerned with (outward) form or
appearance,
esp. as
distinct from content or
matter. 9
Logic concerned with the form and
not the matter of reasoning. 10 Philos. of the
essence of a
thing;
essential not
material. --n. US 1
evening dress. 2 an
occasion on
which evening dress is
worn. øøformally adv. formalness n. [ME f. L formalis (as FORM)]