Synonyms of formal

formal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfȯr-məl 

1

as in ceremonial

following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules

a formal meeting of the board of directors

a formal contract that was legally binding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ceremonial
• ceremonious
• conventional
• official
• regular
• orthodox
• proper
• routine
• correct
• polite
• decorous
• authorized
• systematic
• ritual
• accepted
• certified
• respectable
• ritualistic
• sanctioned
• formalistic
• methodical
• genteel
• orderly
• nice
• methodic
• seemly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• informal
• casual
• unconventional
• irregular
• unorthodox
• unauthorized
• unofficial
• improper
• freewheeling
• unceremonious
• inappropriate
• incorrect
• unsuitable
• unhappy
• unfit
• unseemly
• unbecoming
• inept
• indecorous
• infelicitous
• graceless
• unapt

2

as in titular

being something in name or form only

was the formal head of the charitable organization though he never attended a single meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• titular
• nominal
• paper
• supposed
• virtual
• presumed
• seeming
• ostensible
• so-called
• evident
• phantom
• apparent
• assumed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• true
• actual

3

as in ceremonious

marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details

gave her a formal invitation to dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ceremonious
• proper
• decorous
• nice
• correct
• solemn
• civil
• stiff
• punctilious
• stilted
• starchy
• polite
• polished
• stately
• refined
• courtly
• sober
• chivalrous
• stiff-necked
• gallant
• genteel
• red-carpet
• courteous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• informal
• casual
• improper
• easygoing
• unceremonious
• indecorous
• laid-back
• unmannerly
• rude
• discourteous
• impolite

4

as in dress

relating to or suitable for wearing to an event requiring elegant dress and manners

the dress code is formal for tonight's event

a shop that rents out formal wear

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dress
• stylish
• fashionable
• dressy
• costume
• tailored
• chic
• fitted
• in
• evening
• smart
• semiformal
• dapper
• black-tie
• modish
• white-tie
• natty
• snappy
• costumey
• sharp
• custom-made

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• informal
• casual
• sporty
• street
• outmoded
• unfashionable
• sloppy
• dowdy
• slovenly
• untidy
• sportif
• unkempt
• messy
• frowzy
• grungy
• wrinkled
• rumpled
• disheveled
• unstylish
• frowsy
• dishevelled
• styleless
• mussy
• sloven

5

as in eloquent

very dignified in form, tone, or style

the formal language of the coronation ceremony

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eloquent
• majestic
• rhetoric
• rhetorical
• stately
• literary
• grammatical
• graceful
• cultured
• aristocratic
• proper
• lofty
• elevated
• towering
• high-flown
• refined
• fine
• grandiose
• educated
• correct
• oratorical
• flowery
• declamatory
• stilted
• bombastic
• pretentious
• grandiloquent
• tasteful
• florid
• classy
• pompous
• academic
• affected
• courtly
• academical
• hifalutin
• genteel
• highfalutin
• patrician
• Attic
• learned
• bookish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• informal
• low
• casual
• undignified
• nonformal
• conversational
• colloquial
• common
• vernacular
• slangy
• coarse
• unliterary
• gross
• crude
• vulgar
• rough
• indecent
• uncouth
• ineloquent
• rude
• unpolished
• tasteless
• unrefined
• uncultivated
• crass
• lowbrow
• uncultured
• incorrect
• substandard
• unbookish
• ungrammatical
• uneducated
• rough-hewn
• unlearned
• lowbred
• ill-bred

formal

2 of 2

noun

as in dance

a social gathering for dancing

he asked her to the formal at the end of the year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dance
• prom
• celebration
• festival
• ball
• party
• festivity
• hop
• event
• reception
• gala
• cotillion
• masquerade
• cotillon
• soiree
• fete
• blowout
• mask
• soirée
• mixer
• masque
• fête
• square dance
• shindig
• hoedown

Synonym Chooser

How is the word formal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of formal are ceremonial, ceremonious, and conventional. While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report

the headmaster's formal manner

How do ceremonial and ceremonious relate to one another, in the sense of formal?

Ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies.

a ceremonial offering

When is ceremonious a more appropriate choice than formal?

While in some cases nearly identical to formal, ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

When would conventional be a good substitute for formal?

In some situations, the words conventional and formal are roughly equivalent. However, conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional courtesy

conventional fiction

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of formal

Adjective

What could really power an Emmy campaign is the idea of The Pitt as a kind of bridge show between the comforts of network TV and the formal structures and distribution methods of the streaming age. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2025

These lightweight pants are ideal for warm spring days and can easily transition from casual outings to more formal occasions with the right accessories. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025

Noun

Hell's Kitchen; Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's exploration of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos' rise and fall in the Philippines; and the adaptation of the 2015 documentary How to Dance in Ohio, about a group of teenagers with autism preparing for a spring formal. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024

Strain went missing on March 8 after being asked to leave Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink in downtown Nashville while on a trip to the city with the other members of the Delta Chi Fraternity for a spring formal. —Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024