formal mode

British

noun

philosophy the style in which words are explicitly mentioned rather than used of their subject matter. "Fido" is a dog's name is in the formal mode, while "Fido is a dog" is in the material mode See also mention

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But for some, this is not merely the embrace of a more formal mode of worship.

From Washington Post

Censure is not a formal mode of discipline for a president, but a move Congress votes on in expressing severe disapproval of something.

From Fox News

Beckham in formal mode is not such a rare sight.

From Washington Times

“She’s in formal mode throughout. For me, the most amazing thing is just to witness her from that little girl at age 11 all the way to the present queen,” who is now 88.

From New York Times

To be a member of a bowls club was then a mark of social status and University of Melbourne Historian Tony Ward says that as the game began to grow in popularity, players continued to adhere to a stiff and formal mode of conduct.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023