FORMAL

adj. 1 standard, conventional, customary, established, prescribed, regular, normal, correct, proper; strict, formulaic, inflexible, punctilious, exacting, unchanging, methodical, orderly, systematic, set, pro forma, ritual, ritualistic, ceremonial, proper, official, routine, fixed, rigid, stiff, stilted, stately, starched, unbending, solemn; confining, straitened, limited; Colloq straight, square Formal rules of behaviour are observed 2 explicit, express, definite, spelled out, formalized, express, authorized, official, solemn, legal, lawful Formal demands have been made for the withdrawal of our ambassador 3 prim, ceremonious, dignified, stuffy, strait-laced, stiff, precise, exact He made a formal bow and left our company