formal

名词 formal:

1. a lavish dance requiring formal attire
   同义词：ball
2. a gown for evening wear
   同义词：dinner dress, dinner gown, evening gown

形容词 formal:

1. being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
2. characteristic of or befitting a person in authority
3. (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms
4. represented in simplified or symbolic form
   同义词：conventional, schematic
5. logically deductive
6. refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
   同义词：courtly, stately

1. We were invited to a formal luncheon.
   我们被邀参加一次正式的午宴。
2. At the formal party I felt very awkward and out of place.
   在正式的舞会上，我感到局促不安，很不自在。
3. He is very formal with everyone; he never joins in a laugh.
   他对任何人都很拘谨，从不跟人说笑。
4. There is only a formal likeness between the two brothers, for their natures are very different.
   这两兄弟仅外表相似，本性却很不一样。
5. Business letters must always be formal, but we should write in a natural way to friends.
   商业信函必须是正式的，但是写信给朋友应写得自然一些。

for.mal

adj.（形容词）

Relating to or involving outward form or structure.
外形的，形式的：关于或涉及事物外在形式或结构的
Being or relating to essential form or constitution:
形式的：属于事物的基本形式或构成的：
例句：
a formal principle.
形式原则

Following or being in accord with accepted forms, conventions, or regulations:
正规的：遵循或符合规定的形式、惯例或规则的：
例句：
had little formal education; went to a formal party.
受过很少的正规教育；参加一个正规聚会

Executed, carried out, or done in proper or regular form:
正式的：以适当或常规形式进行的：
例句：
a formal reprimand; a formal document.
正式谴责；正式文件

Characterized by strict or meticulous observation of forms; methodical:
正式的，符合传统或习惯的：在形式上严格拘泥于细节的；有条理的：
例句：
very formal in their business transactions.
他们的商务议事很有条理

Stiffly ceremonious:
刻板的：
例句：
a formal manner; a formal greeting; a formal bow to the monarch.
刻板的仪态；刻板的欢迎；向君主刻板地鞠躬

Having the outward appearance but lacking in substance:
形式的，表面的，徒有其表的：只有表面现象而没有实体的：
例句：
a formal requirement that is usually ignored.
通常被忽略的表面条件

n.（名词）
Something, such as a gown or social affair, that is formal in nature.
礼服：性质上属于正式的东西，如长礼服和社交活动

来源：
Middle English
中古英语
from Latin fôrm3lis
源自 拉丁语 fôrm3lis
from fôrma [shape]
源自 fôrma [形状]

【引伸】
for.mally
adv.（副词）
for.malness
n.（名词）