formally
gb/fˈɔɹməli/ us/fˈɔɹməli/
B1
Engleză
~ 7400
Sensuri
0 sensuri
adverb
B1
property
1
in a polite, serious way
In a serious and polite way that follows social rules, for example in how you dress, speak, or write.
Tipar de utilizare:
[someone] [verb]s formally
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners sometimes confuse "formally" with "formerly". "Formally" means in a polite or official way, while "formerly" means in the past or earlier. For example, "He was formerly the manager" (in the past), not "He was formally the manager" unless you mean he held the position in an official way. Learners may also think "formally" always means "in writing"; it can be spoken or written, as long as it is serious and follows social rules.
Sinonime
ceremoniously (Stronger and less common; emphasizes showy or ritual behavior.)
|
politely (Focuses more on good manners than on seriousness or ceremony.)
Antonime
casually (Describes a relaxed, informal way of acting or dressing, without special effort or ceremony.)
|
informally (Describes a friendly, relaxed style that does not follow strict social rules.)
Colocații
dress formally
|formally dressed
|speak formally
|formally invited
|formally worded
|formally set table
Teme
social_life
|communication
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemple
- Guests were asked to dress formally for the awards dinner.
- She spoke very formally during the interview, using complete sentences and titles.
- The letter was written formally, beginning with "Dear Sir or Madam".
- Although they were friends, he still addressed her formally at work.
- The children lined up formally as the principal entered the room.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- Please dress formally for the wedding.
- He always speaks formally to his boss.
- They greeted the visitors formally at the door.
- The email is written very formally.
- In this office, we talk formally to customers.
unknown
B2
property
2
in an official or legal way
In an official way that follows rules or law, for example by using the correct process, words, or documents.
Tipar de utilizare:
[authority] formally [verb]s [something]
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners often use "officially" where "formally" would also work. This is usually fine, but "formally" puts more focus on following the correct process, words, or ceremony. Do not confuse "formally" with "formerly" (earlier, in the past). For example, "The country is formally known as the Republic of Korea" means this is its official name; "The country was formerly known as..." means it had a different name in the past.
Sinonime
officially (Very close in meaning and more common; often interchangeable in legal or organizational contexts.)
|
legally (Stresses that something is done according to law specifically, not just general rules.)
Antonime
unofficially (Describes something done without official status or approval.)
|
informally (Describes something done in a relaxed way without following full official procedures.)
Colocații
formally announce
|formally approve
|formally charge
|formally request
|formally recognize
|formally adopt
Teme
law
|government
|business
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemple
- The government formally announced the new policy yesterday.
- She was formally charged with fraud after a three-month investigation.
- The board has now formally approved the merger.
- His qualifications were not formally recognized in that country.
- The treaty was formally signed by both leaders in 2010.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- The company formally announced the changes today.
- He formally asked for time off in a written letter.
- They formally accepted her as a member of the group.
- The school formally warned the student about his behavior.
- The two countries formally ended the war last year.
adverb
technical
C1
property
3
in terms of structure only
In a way that looks only at the shape, rules, or structure of something, not at its meaning or real use.
Tipar de utilizare:
[something] is formally [adjective]
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners may think "formally" always refers to politeness or official rules. In technical fields like logic, math, or linguistics, it means focusing on structure or form only, not on meaning or real-life use.
Sinonime
structurally (Focuses on structure in general; may be less tied to abstract rules or logic.)
|
theoretically (Describes what is true in theory; overlaps sometimes but does not always mean focusing only on form.)
Antonime
substantively (Focuses on the real content or substance rather than the form.)
|
semantically (Focuses on the meaning of expressions, as opposed to their logical or grammatical form.)
Colocații
formally equivalent
|formally defined
|formally valid
|formally similar
|formally expressed
|formally represented
Teme
academia
|mathematics
|logic
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemple
- The two systems are formally equivalent, although they look different in practice.
- This argument is formally valid, but its premises may be false.
- The concept is formally defined in the first chapter of the textbook.
- Formally speaking, these sentences share the same structure.
- The problem can be formally represented using simple equations.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- In logic, two arguments can be formally the same but about different things.
- The rule is first explained informally, then formally.
- These two sentences are formally similar but do not mean the same thing.
- The idea is formally clear, but it is still hard to use.
- The plan looks good formally, but there are real problems with it.
Gramatică
Forma de dicționar
formally
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹməli/
US/fˈɔɹməli/
Silabe și accent
form - ally (2 silabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (form)
Forme ale cuvântului
Noun
- Base: formally
- Plural: formallies
Familie de cuvinte
Expresii
formally announce
1/fˈɔɹməli ənˈaʊns/
fixed phrase
officially make something public
To announce something in an official way, usually using the proper process, language, or ceremony.
Exemple
- The mayor will formally announce the results at a press conference tomorrow.
- The company formally announced its new CEO in a statement to the media.
formally approve
1/fˈɔɹməli əpɹˈuv/
fixed phrase
give official approval
To officially say yes to a plan, rule, person, or decision, following the correct process.
Exemple
- The board formally approved the budget after several hours of discussion.
- The new regulations were formally approved by parliament last week.
formally charge (someone)
1/fˈɔɹməli t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
officially accuse of a crime
If the police or court formally charge someone, they officially say that the person may have committed a crime and start the legal process.
Exemple
- She was formally charged with theft after the police review.
- The suspect will be formally charged in court on Monday.
formally known as
1/fˈɔɹməli nˈoʊn ˈæz/
fixed phrase
having an official name
Used to say what the official or legal name of something is or was, especially when giving a longer or more exact name.
Exemple
- The country, formally known as the Kingdom of Thailand, changed its constitution last year.
- The company, formally known as Tech Solutions Incorporated, recently rebranded its products.
formally recognize
1/fˈɔɹməli ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
fixed phrase
officially accept or acknowledge
To officially accept or say that something is true, real, or has a certain status.
Exemple
- The government formally recognized the new state in 1992.
- Her qualifications were formally recognized by the professional body.
formally request
1/fˈɔɹməli ɹɪkwˈɛst/
fixed phrase
officially or very politely ask
To ask for something in an official or very polite way, often in writing or using fixed, formal language.
Exemple
- Employees must formally request vacation time at least one month in advance.
- He formally requested a copy of the report from the council.