Formal meaning in English
Learn how to use Formal correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
formal: conventional, serious, official; smart, black-tie
informal: casual, relaxed, unofficial
Pronunciation examples
UK: You look so smart in your formal suit!
US: I'd like you to come to my office for an informal chat.
Examples
- "Title: FORMAL ENGLISH"
- "The school offers happy and informal language lessons in a pretty farmhouse called Dill Cottage."
- "Please consider this letter as a formal demand for payment, following prolonged lack of action on your part."
- "I still haven't heard you make a formal offer, Miss Bliss."
- "Meet me next to the coffee machine at 3pm tomorrow for an informal meeting so that we can come up with some party ideas!"
- "In the future, you should ask someone to proofread any application letters you may send out, and make your tone more formal."
- "We like to keep things informal at Delavigne."
- "Helpful hints: informal guideline to Delavigne Corp's customer service policy"
- "Please find a ‘formal English' training course for him right away!"
Exercise 1
Opposites Attract!
Select the antonyms, or opposites of the words listed below. Each term was used in Luna's note.
Select the antonyms, or opposites of the words listed below. Each term was used in Luna's note.
| Term | Antonym | |||
| Loose | ||||
| Lend | ||||
| Clothed |
Opposites Attract!
Select the antonyms, or opposites of the words listed below. Each term was used in Luna's note.
Select the antonyms, or opposites of the words listed below. Each term was used in Luna's note.
| Term | Antonym | |||
| Loose | Tight 1 | |||
| Lend | Borrow 2 | |||
| Clothed | Naked 3 |
1 Tight: This is correct. In the context of clothing, garments are considered "loose" or "tight" depending on how much room there is for the body inside them. Example: "His shirt was so tight, you see the hairs on his chest."
1 Basic: This is incorrect. "Basic" means primary or simple, and isn't the opposite of "loose". The opposite of basic might be "complex", "advanced" or "sophisticated".
1 New: This is incorrect. "New" means recent "not existing previously", and isn't the opposite of "loose". The opposite of "new" is generally "old".
1 Formal: This is incorrect. "Formal" means "elegant", "sophisticated" or "fancy". Example: The wedding was very formal: only tuxedos and dinner dresses were worn.The opposite of "formal" is "informal" or "casual".
2 Borrow: This is correct. "To borrow" means to take or receive something with the promise and understanding that it will be returned. "Borrow" is the opposite of "to lend". Example: -Can I borrow your car this weekend? -Sorry, but I don't lend my car to chimpanzees, even if they are capable of human speech.
2 Give: This is incorrect. "To give" is to donate or award something; it isn't an antonym for "lend". A common antonym for "take" is "give".
2 Take: This is incorrect. "To take" isn't an antonym for "lend". A common antonym for "give" is "take".
3 Naked: This is correct. The adjective "clothed" describes someone or something that is "dressed" or "wearing clothes". Other antonyms for "clothed" include "nude", "undressed" and "unclothed".
3 Dressed: This is incorrect. "Dressed" and "clothed" are actually synonyms: words which express the same meaning.
3 Dirty: This is incorrect. "Dirty" means "unclean", "unhygienic" or "unwashed". It is not an antonym of "clothed".
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