Chicago Tribune: Homecoming hemlines and the fight over fall formal fashion: ‘The dresses are shorter than ever’ Homecoming hemlines and the fight over fall formal fashion: ‘The dresses are shorter than ever’ DEAR DEREK, While shopping around quaint and eclectic Cary Town in hometown of Richmond, Virginia, my friend and I noticed a major trend on the prom scene: short dresses! I have always had the ... InStyle on MSN: I’m 5-feet-tall, and I found 9 petite wedding guest dresses for every attire—no tailoring required I’m 5-feet-tall, and I found 9 petite wedding guest dresses for every attire—no tailoring required The meaning of FORMAL is following or according with established form, custom, or rule.

Understanding the Context

How to use formal in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Formal. FORMAL definition: being in accordance with the usual requirements, customs, etc.; conventional. See examples of formal used in a sentence.

Key Insights

Formal language is the language used esp. in writing in situations that are official and which is often more difficult than the language used in ordinary conversation.