form‧al 1 S2 W2 / fɔm ə l $ fɔr- / 形容词

1 official [通常用于名词前] made or done officially or publicly 反义词 informal :

formal recognition of the reformed church

a formal agreement between the countries

There is no formal structure for negotiating pay increases.

make/lodge a formal complaint

Mr Kelly has lodged a formal complaint against the police.

2 behaviour formal behaviour is very polite, and is used in official or important situations, or with people you do not know well 反义词 informal :

Over the years, teaching methods have changed and become less formal.

3 language formal language is used in official or serious situations 反义词 informal :

‘Yours sincerely’ is a formal way of ending a letter.

4 event/occasion a formal event is important, and people who go to it wear special clothes and behave very politely 反义词 informal :

I’ve met her twice but only on formal occasions .

a formal dinner

5 clothes formal dress is clothing such as a tuxedo for men or a long dress for women, that is worn to formal events 反义词 casual , informal :

We insist on formal dress for dinner.

6 formal education/training/qualifications education etc in a subject or skill, that you receive in a school, college etc rather than practical experience of it :

knowledge and wisdom gained from experience rather than from formal education

7 organized done in a very organized way 反义词 informal :

The course includes formal lectures.

8 garden/park a formal garden, park, or room is arranged in a very organized way 反义词 informal :

the palace’s beautifully restored formal gardens

→ formally