English · Word Candidate

formal

/ˈfɔɹməl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: formals

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

In accordance with established forms.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Theo hình thức đã thiết lập

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

She spoke formal English, without any dialect.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Official.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Chính thức

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

I'd like to make a formal complaint.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

An evening gown.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Áo dài trang trọng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

Well, I open up the door / And much to my surprise / The girls were wearin' formals / And the boys were wearin' ties

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

An event with a formal dress code.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Một sự kiện có mã trang phục trang trọng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “formal” mean?

In accordance with established forms.

Is “formal” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.