a.

1. 正式的；礼节上的
   The letter was formal in its wording.

   此信措辞正式。

2. 拘泥形式的，拘谨的，刻板的
   You needn't be so formal with me.

   你对我不必如此拘束。

3. 整齐的，布置井然的；有条理的
4. 形式上的；表面的，外形的[Z]
   They maintained only formal unity among themselves.

   他们只在表面上保持一致。

5. 合乎格式的，正规的
6. 【语】规范的

n.

1. 正式的社交活动
2. 【口】夜礼服

adj.

1. done in accordance with rules of convention or etiquette.
   ▸having a conventionally recognized form, structure, or set of rules:

   he had little formal education.
   ▸of or denoting a style of writing or public speaking characterized by more elaborate grammatical structures and more conservative and technical vocabulary.
2. officially recognized:
   a formal complaint.
3. of or concerned with outward form rather than content.
   ▸having a form or appearance but no true function:

   the committee stage would be purely formal.
   ▸relating to linguistic or logical form as opposed to function or meaning.

n.