formal English · revision 5111

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1386|origins=la formalis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈfɔː.məl/, US /ˈfɔːr.məl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|formal|alt=formal, formel]], [[bor|fro|formel|alt=formal, formel]] and directly from [[la|fōrmālis]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from fōrma “form, figure, shape”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[form]] and [[formality]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In philosophy, relating to the form or essence of a thing: about 1386 in the OED, about 1390 in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline also has “relating to form or arrangement” from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In due or proper form, according to recognized rules, is from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) Relating to outward form or appearance is from 1639,^(OED 1989) and to customary form or convention from 1712.^(OED 1989) In logic, concerned with the form rather than the matter of reasoning, it is from about 1856.^(OED 1989) As a noun, things that are formal, it is from 1605,^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988) a formal dance from 1906 among American college students,^(Etymonline) and formal dress from 1941.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Formality'' is from 1531.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1386 – relating to essential form.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – in proper form.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1605 – noun.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1712 – conventional.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1906 – a formal dance.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Following the accepted rules of behaviour or [[ceremony]]: ''a formal dinner''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Official: ''a formal agreement''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of language, suitable for serious or official use rather than conversation.^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to outward form or structure.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Arranged in a regular, orderly pattern: ''a formal garden''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A dance or party at which formal dress is worn.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # An evening gown.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[formally]]

+ * [[formalness]]

+ * [[formalise]]

+ * [[formalism]]

+ * [[formality]]

+ * [[formalize]]

+ * [[formalwear]]

+ * [[nonformal]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[form]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}