pro forma

UK: /ˌprəʊˈfɔː^rmə/ US: /proʊ ˈfɔrmə/ ,(prō fôr′mə)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro for•ma /proʊ ˈfɔrmə/  adj. 

1. done purely as a matter of form;
   not genuine:
   a pro forma apology.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro for•ma  (prō fôr′mə), 

1. according to form;
   as a matter of form;
   for the sake of form.
2. Accounting [Com.] provided in advance of shipment and merely showing the description and quantity of goods shipped without terms of payment:
   a pro forma invoice.
3. Accounting [Accountableing.] indicating hypothetical financial figures based on previous business operations for estimate purposes:
   a pro forma balance sheet.
   Also, pro•for′ma (for defs. 2, 3).

• Latin prō fōrma
• 1565–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pro forma / ˈprəʊ ˈfɔːmə/ adjective

1. prescribing a set form or procedure

adverb

1. performed in a set manner

Etymology: Latin: for form's sake