formal
gb/fˈɔɹməl/ us/fˈɔɹməl/
B1
Anglais
~ 3500
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B1
property
1
serious and official in style
Serious and correct in the way that is usual for important situations.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone/something] is formal
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often confuse 'formal' with 'official'. 'Formal' refers to style or manner, while 'official' means authorized by an authority.
Synonymes
official (Emphasizes being recognized by authority rather than just serious style.)
|
ceremonial (Focuses on being related to a ceremony or ritual.)
Antonymes
casual (Describes a relaxed style or manner rather than serious and official.)
|
informal (Opposite in tone, style, or setting; relaxed and not following strict rules.)
Collocations
formal dress
|formal meeting
|formal education
|formal language
|formal invitation
Thèmes
communication
|manners
|culture
|business
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The dinner was a formal event requiring evening gowns.
- He used very formal language in his speech to the board.
- Please wear formal attire to the wedding.
- Her writing style is too formal for this magazine.
- The letter was written in a formal tone.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This is a formal dinner.
- He wears a formal suit.
- We have a formal meeting today.
- She speaks in a formal way.
- This is a formal letter.
adjective
B2
property
2
structured and methodical
Planned and done in an organized way with rules.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is formal
Synonymes
structured (Emphasizes having a clear and planned arrangement.)
|
systematic (Highlights being done step-by-step according to a system.)
Antonymes
informal (Done without a fixed plan or structure.)
|
casual (Not following established structure or procedure.)
Collocations
formal training
|formal agreement
|formal procedure
|formal complaint
Thèmes
education
|process
|organization
|work
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- All employees must complete a formal training program.
- They signed a formal agreement before starting the project.
- The complaint must be made through the formal procedure.
- She received no formal education in art, but she's very talented.
Exemples pédagogiques
- We have formal training at work.
- He made a formal complaint.
- They follow a formal procedure.
- She has no formal education in music.
adjective
B1
property
3
polite and respectful behavior
Polite and careful in the way you behave with others, especially in important situations.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is formal with [someone]
Synonymes
polite (General term for showing good manners; less tied to ceremony.)
|
respectful (Focuses on showing deference or regard.)
Antonymes
rude (Lacking politeness or respect.)
|
familiar (Too casual or friendly for the situation.)
Collocations
formal greeting
|formal introduction
Thèmes
manners
|social
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- He was very formal with his new boss.
- She gave me a formal handshake when we met.
- Their relationship remained strictly formal despite working together for years.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He is formal with his teacher.
- She gave me a formal greeting.
- We are formal with new people.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
formal
API
GB/fˈɔɹməl/
US/fˈɔɹməl/
Syllabes et accentuation
form - al (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (form)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: formal
Famille de mots
Expressions
formal education
1/fˈɔɹməl ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
learning in an organized school system
Learning that happens in schools, colleges, or universities with teachers and a set plan.
Exemples
- Many successful entrepreneurs have little formal education.
- Formal education is often necessary for certain careers.
in formal terms
1/ˈɪn fˈɔɹməl tˈɚmz/
fixed phrase
expressed officially or precisely
Said using exact and official words.
Exemples
- In formal terms, the agreement is not yet binding.
- The disease is known, in formal terms, as varicella.
formal attire
1/fˈɔɹməl ətˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
clothing for official events
Clothes that are suitable for important events like weddings or ceremonies.
Exemples
- The invitation requests guests to wear formal attire.
- The invitation specifies that formal attire is required.
- He arrived at the gala in full formal attire.
- At this hotel, formal attire is expected in the main dining room.