Collocations for "formal"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "formal" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
formal
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- a formal [complaint, trial, application, offer, request, invitation]
- a formal [letter, reply, email, speech, text] (to)
- formal [English, register, language, terms, definitions, phrases]
- a more formal [word, term, name] for
- a formal approach to [education, parenting, leadership]
- formal recognition (from, by)
- formal [training, education, structure]
- [received, lacked, benefitted from] formal education
- formal [wear, attire, clothes, dress]
- the invitation specified formal [attire]
- formal and [casual, informal, semi-casual, leisure]
- the [reception, event, conference, ball] was a formal occasion
- the [boss, term, party] is too formal
- [very, extremely] formal
- the [spring, winter] formal
- her first formal
- are you going to the formal?
- who are you taking to the formal?
- will you go to the formal with me?
- [evening, party, ball] formals
- [wearing, showing off, trotting around with] her formals
- dressed in [long, evening] formals
'formal' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
address
- announcement
- apology
- apparel
- arrangement
- atmosphere
- ball
- channel
- closing
- clothing
- collocation
- colloquial
- dance
- decree
- dress
- enchanted
- entrance
- event
- expression
- gathering
- greeting
- grievance
- herewith
- indictment
- inquiry
- language
- optional
- partnership
- proceeding
- query
- register
- request
- resignation
- scrutiny
- somewhat
- stiffness
- surrender
- term
- training
- wear